Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil has expressed support for the Bulgarian government's decision to oppose the inclusion of Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill in the European Union's proposed 21st package of sanctions against Russia.

The statement came ahead of a June 26 meeting of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which was attended by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. While foreign policy issues were expected to be discussed, the Holy Synod later issued a statement emphasizing that decisions on international sanctions fall outside the authority of the Church's highest governing body. The Synod said it was not empowered to provide an official position on such political matters.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting, however, Patriarch Daniil welcomed the Bulgarian government's efforts to prevent Patriarch Kirill from being added to the EU sanctions list.

"This is undoubtedly a courageous step," Daniil said. "I do not believe that sanctions against the head of one of the local Orthodox Churches can achieve the objectives envisioned by their initiators. I believe this decision is the right one."

Following the Synod meeting, Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that the issue of possible sanctions against Patriarch Kirill had been discussed. He stressed, however, that he opposes involving the Church in political affairs.

"I have made it clear that I am not concerned with Patriarch Kirill as an individual," Radev said. "What concerns me is respect for the religious beliefs of all Orthodox Christians. I do not want the Church to interfere in politics, just as I do not want politics to interfere in religion."

The prime minister added that he considers sanctions against a religious leader to be unjustified.

Earlier, on June 17, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova announced that Sofia was blocking elements of the EU's proposed sanctions package that target Patriarch Kirill personally. She argued that Bulgaria supports only sanctions capable of producing a tangible economic impact, while measures against a religious figure are largely symbolic and unlikely to advance the EU's stated objectives.