EU softens 21st sanctions package against Russia as Bulgaria secures key exemptions

The European Union is finalising its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with several concessions already agreed to secure unanimous support among member states. Bulgaria, which had expressed reservations, now confirms it will back the expanded measures after its main demands were met.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova stated in Brussels that Sofia is ready to support the package once its concerns are addressed. The revised draft excludes Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov, the founder and major shareholder of Russian oil giant Lukoil. Bulgaria had strongly opposed their inclusion, and Italy backed the request regarding Patriarch Kirill.

Bulgaria moves to shield Lukoil co-owner from EU sanctions

Additional Bulgarian concerns, such as removing a Russian company supplying spare parts for the Sofia metro from the list, are also under discussion. Negotiations continue, but the package is expected to be significantly watered down from the European Commission’s original proposal.

Other concessions include:

No blanket entry ban on all Russian military personnel (scaled back at the request of France, Italy and Greece, limited mainly to short-term visas for those directly involved in combat).
Removal of the proposed ban on imports of Russian fish, following objections from Germany, France, the Netherlands and Poland.
Adjustments to the oil price cap freeze and Greek requests concerning the re-export of Russian LNG.

High Representative Kaja Kallas indicated that around 250 additional names linked to strikes on Ukrainian civilians could still be added, though several issues remain open. The package is on track for agreement as early as this week, with further talks addressing trade and financial concerns raised by Greece and Austria.

A key element in the current talks is the future of the G7/EU oil price cap on Russian crude. Greece has requested a shorter extension period for the measure and greater flexibility to continue re-exporting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to third countries. At the same time, the EU is racing to freeze the automatic adjustment mechanism of the price cap before the 15 July deadline, which would otherwise raise it to around $58 per barrel. Officials prefer to pause the revision for several months to avoid easing financial pressure on Moscow while global oil markets remain volatile. This technical but politically sensitive issue is being handled partly as a separate decision to ensure the broader sanctions package can move forward.

Austria has raised financial-sector objections primarily to safeguard Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), the EU bank with the largest remaining exposure to Russia. This stance echoes earlier episodes where Austria leveraged sanctions talks to defend the bank’s interests, reflecting the significant economic stake Austrian institutions still hold in the Russian market despite broader EU efforts to reduce dependencies.

Germany, alongside France, the Netherlands and Poland, successfully pushed for the removal of the proposed ban on Russian fish imports, reflecting Berlin’s interest in protecting certain supply chains and food-sector stakeholders amid the broader tightening of sanctions.

Each successive EU sanctions package against Russia has involved intense behind-the-scenes negotiations and compromises among member states, yet it is rare for a country to openly publicise its reservations in advance – as Bulgaria did by clearly stating its opposition to the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov.

Caption: Videograb from doorstep of Bulgarian foreign minister Velislava Petrova at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 13 July 2026 [Council newsroom]