Media: Russia's Patriarch Kirill may be included in new EU "mini-package"
Ambassadors of European Union member states are expected to discuss a mini-package of sanctions this week that could include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (secular name Vladimir Gundyayev).
As reported by Euronews, the package reportedly targets around ten individuals previously shielded by the government of former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán, as well as several Russian vessels.
Euronews reported that the new Hungarian government has signalled willingness to allow the EU to impose sanctions on Patriarch Kirill and other figures previously shielded by Orbán.
The move could pave the way for one of Russia's most influential religious figures to be added to the EU sanctions blacklist. Officials told Euronews that the "mini" package is being prepared.
The EU first attempted to sanction Gundyayev in 2022, accusing him of supporting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and spreading revisionist propaganda. However, Hungary, under Orbán, blocked the initiative, arguing that it concerned religious freedom.
Brussels now reportedly hopes that Hungary's new prime minister, Péter Magyar, will allow the decision to move forward.
"Sanctions which would undermine Hungary's economic stability are an absolute no-go. But in cases where the previous government used the power of the Hungarian State to cut private deals, I expect the new government not to block joint EU efforts at increasing the pressure on Russia to end this war," Márton Hajdu, a close ally of Magyar who chairs the foreign affairs committee of the Hungarian parliament, told Euronews.
Other Russian figures were initially included in the sanctions list but were later removed at the insistence of Viktor Orbán, particularly Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov and oligarch Vyacheslav Kantor. They could now be re-added.
"Revising names is not unusual," one source said.
In addition, the proposal also targets several vessels from Russia's so-called shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to circumvent Western restrictions on oil sales.
During the European Council meeting in Brussels on 18-19 June 2026, EU leaders are expected to discuss, among other issues, Ukraine's prospects for EU accession, the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia and negotiations on peace in Ukraine.
Following a meeting of the Council of the European Union on foreign affairs in Brussels on 11 May, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia may include measures targeting the Russian military-industrial complex and the shadow fleet.