EU Proposes Sanctions on Russian Orthodox Church Leader

The European Union has drafted a sanctions proposal that targets the head of the Russian Orthodox Church along with other individuals. The sanctions would impose travel bans and asset freezes on those listed. The proposal marks the first time the bloc has included a religious leader in its Russia-related measures.

Brussels first sought to add the same church leader to sanctions lists in 2022. That earlier effort did not advance after one member state blocked it. The current proposal revives the measure as part of a broader package aimed at Russia.

The Russian Orthodox Church has criticized Ukrainian authorities for seizing churches and monasteries that maintain ties to Moscow. Some clergy in Ukraine have faced arrest for refusing to break those ties. The European Union has not commented on those Ukrainian actions in its sanctions statements.