The name of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church has been included in a draft of a new EU sanctions package.
This was reported by Euronews, citing its sources in diplomatic circles.
According to the report, consideration of the draft package of new European anti-Russian sanctions began on Tuesday. The official list of individuals who are expected to face restrictions has not been published, but three diplomats independently confirmed to Euronews that Kirill is on that list.
In the EU, the Patriarch is accused of spreading revisionist propaganda intended to justify the war in Ukraine.
Under his leadership, the Russian Orthodox Church approved a document calling for the destruction of Ukrainian independence and describing the invasion as a “Holy War.”
Because of Kirill’s special status as head of the Russian Orthodox Church, it remains unclear whether all 27 EU member states will support the move. Unanimous approval is required to place an individual on the sanctions list.
Earlier, we reported that Brussels was preparing another package of sanctions against Russia which could, among other measures, target senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church and its primate, a close ally of Putin. According to Politico, officials see an opportunity to move forward with sanctions that had previously been blocked by the government of Viktor Orbán, the former Prime Minister of Hungary.
As LF previously reported, Hungary’s new government has stated its readiness to support European Union sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, and other individuals who had been protected by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The 21st package of economic sanctions is expected to be presented in June, with final approval anticipated by 15 July.
According to religious affairs expert Aleksandr Soldatov, although EU leaders have not officially announced the planned inclusion of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 21st sanctions package, reports in reputable media outlets have caused concern for the 79-year-old Patriarch.
As LF reported, the Kremlin is attempting to justify its prolonged war against Ukraine by using long-standing false narratives claiming that “the Ukrainian government suppresses religious freedoms.” This is stated in a report by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Earlier, we reported that President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin praised the efforts of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in supporting participants in the “special military operation.”
According to LF, in November 2025 Patriarch Kirill Gundyayev stated that military heroism is “inseparable” from spiritual achievement and that participation in war may be regarded as a form of Christian service. This attempt to justify the war through spiritual rhetoric provoked an immediate and sharp reaction within church circles.
According to Dr Regina Elsner, a researcher of Eastern Christianity and ecumenism at the University of Münster, the Russian Orthodox Church has become one of the key institutions of mobilisation and propaganda.
Earlier, we reported that Pope Leo XIV and Bartholomew I condemned attempts to use religion to justify violence.
