EU looking into slamming sanctions on Russian church leader Kirill

The European Commission has proposed freezing the assets of a Russian Orthodox Church primate, Patriarch Kirill.

That’s according to an EU diplomat, Ukrinform reports citing Reuters.

“The Patriarch has been added to a draft blacklist that already includes hundreds of military officers and businessmen close to the Kremlin whom the EU accuses of supporting the war in Ukraine,” the report reads.

The sanctions would entail an asset freeze and a travel ban. To come into force, the restrictions must be approved by EU member states.

Read also: At Easter service, Ecumenical Patriarch calls for end to war in Ukraine

As reported earlier, Kirill, 75, has given his full-throated blessing for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a position that has splintered the worldwide Orthodox Church and unleashed an internal rebellion that theologians and academics say is unprecedented.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3464446-pope-cancels-meeting-with-russias-orthodox-patriarch.html