Following Orbán’s resignation: EU prepares sanctions against Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church
11 May 15:16
Viktor Orbán’s defeat in the Hungarian elections has opened the door for EU countries to implement measures to pressure Russia that they had been unable to introduce until now. Brussels has begun preparing a 21-point sanctions package, seven European diplomats and officials told Politico; it is expected to be finalized by late June or early July, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
“Among the measures that Orbán had blocked and that are now expected to be implemented are sanctions against the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, primarily Patriarch Kirill. The Russian Orthodox Church actively supports the war against Ukraine launched by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin,” the report states.
It should be noted that pro-Russian Viktor Orban stated in May 2022 that his country does not support the inclusion of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill Gundyaev, on the sanctions list, calling it a problem of freedom of religion.
Brussels also recognizes that Russia’s economy, according to a senior EU official, is “in the worst shape since the start of the war.”
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“Now is the time to ramp up the pressure, as things are not going well in Russia,” he added.
One of the main priorities will be to tighten sanctions against the shadow fleet transporting Russian oil. Politico does not specify exactly what this will entail. But, according to EU officials, the new measures will help cut off one of the Kremlin’s most important sources of revenue and increase pressure on Putin to force him to abandon his maximalist demands for a peace deal.
The European Commission may also revisit the idea of banning European companies and ports from providing maritime services to tankers carrying Russian oil, one diplomat said. This measure was drafted for the 20th package, but Malta and Greece have so far opposed it. Additionally, the energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East has hindered its implementation.
EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas told reporters after a recent meeting of ministers in Luxembourg:
“Following the elections in Hungary, there has been a new impetus [to introduce restrictive measures]. We should return to the sanctions that were previously discussed but not agreed upon, and also begin implementing the new package.”
According to Politico sources, it will also include measures against Russian banks, other financial institutions, and companies in the military-industrial complex, as well as companies involved in the sale of Ukrainian grain exported from the occupied territories.
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Ukrainian Sanctions Against Patriarch Kirill and the Clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church
The Cabinet of Ministers has imposed personal sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, and seven other representatives. The Government adopted the relevant order at its meeting on August 30, 2022.
The decision was made to protect the national interests, national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Government approved proposals to impose sanctions for ten years against:
- The 16th Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill (Gundyaev Vladimir Mikhailovich, born November 20, 1946);
- Head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk (Alfeyev Grigory Valerievich, born July 24, 1966);
- Deputy Head of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church Archpriest Nikolai Balashov (Balashov Nikolai Vladimirovich, born 13.12.1956);
- Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov of the Russian Orthodox Church Tikhon (Shevkunov Georgy Alexandrovich, born 02.07.1958);
- Archbishop of Syktyvkar and Komi-Zyryansk of the Russian Orthodox Church Pitirim (Volochkov Pavel Pavlovich, born 02.02.1961);
- Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church, writer, preacher and teacher Vladimirov Artemiy Vladimirovich (born 21.02.1961);
- the Metropolitan Archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church, preacher, TV presenter Tkachev Andrey Yurievich (born 12/30/1969);
- the Russian Orthodox theologian, teacher and publicist, Doctor of Theology, Honored Professor of the Moscow Orthodox Theological Academy and Seminary Osipov Alexey Ilyich (born 03/31/1938).
The sanctions include: blocking assets, stopping the transit of resources, flights and transportation through Ukraine, suspending the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations, banning participation in the privatization and lease of state property, stopping cultural exchanges and cooperation, canceling official visits, etc.
