The topic of the potential inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill in European sanctions lists was artificially brought to the fore and heavily overexposed. This was stated by Vice President Iliana Yotova in an interview with national television, emphasizing that, in her opinion, the Bulgarian Prime Minister had presented other, far more significant reservations – related to the future of Lukoil, nuclear energy, and national security.
According to her, the "noisier part" of the political and media debate adopted only the topic of Patriarch Kirill because it is a convenient line of confrontation, while the uncomfortable questions – regarding energy security and key strategic sites – remained on the sidelines. Yotova is convinced that this also overshadowed the "good news" from European institutions – the approval and receipt of funds for the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
"Two governments failed to do it, but literally in less than a month, this government succeeded," she noted, highlighting the importance of the secured European funding for the Bulgarian economy.
On the topic of sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, Yotova stated that she is against creating new lines of conflict at a time when "everyone in Europe and Volodymyr Zelenskyy" are insisting on starting peace negotiations and for Russia to be brought back to the dialogue table. According to the Vice President, imposing sanctions on a spiritual leader will inevitably provoke a sharp reaction from Moscow and risks shifting the dispute toward the question of whether Europe is "against Orthodoxy," with a potential division even among believers in Bulgaria.
"All our efforts must be directed toward a diplomatic path for resolving this conflict and finally for peace," she emphasized. Yotova recalled that Bulgaria is an "Orthodox country" and expressed hope that Bulgarian believers would not be divided along these lines. "Orthodoxy is so deeply rooted in our history that I would not want there to be a conflict specifically along these lines," the Vice President specified.
The conversation also touched upon the topic of the Republic of North Macedonia and its European path. Yotova admitted that recently, she has developed "very serious doubts" as to whether the current leadership in Skopje truly desires membership in the European Union. According to her, the problem of the North Macedonian authorities is not with Bulgaria, but with the EU, where in 2022 they accepted a certain framework and commitments which they now appear unwilling to fulfill.
When asked if European partners understand the Bulgarian position, Yotova replied in the affirmative. She pointed out that in her conversations with European leaders and ambassadors, no one has questioned the EU's line regarding the Republic of North Macedonia or the need to fulfill the commitments made. At the same time, during her meetings with President Gordana Siljanovska and Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski within the framework of the South-East European Cooperation Process, she heard something "literally stressful for the 21st century" – the assertion that the current administration in Skopje does not recognize the actions and signatures of the previous one.
"I tried to explain that this is not a personal signature, but a commitment of the state," Yotova recounted, emphasizing that the continuity of international treaties is a fundamental principle of international law.
The Vice President also commented on the case involving the contract with the Turkish company "Botas." According to her, the agreement had the potential to work to the benefit of both Bulgaria and the countries of Central Europe, but domestic political conflicts in our country made this impossible. "Bulgaria only suffered from this," she admitted.
Yotova recalled that the contract was signed at an extremely complex moment – during the stoppage of Russian gas supplies – by a caretaker cabinet, which she believes also influenced its subsequent fate. "Now, naturally, years later, it is much more difficult," she added, but expressed hope that the government would manage to make decisions that are good for Bulgaria.
In this context, the Vice President described the country as possessing a "golden card" – due to both its EU membership and its geopolitical position. She predicted that large infrastructure and energy projects will no longer bypass Bulgaria, as has often happened in the past, but rather "all possible corridors will pass through us – energy, land, and high-tech related."
Regarding the visa regime with the USA, Yotova was asked how logical it is to raise the issue again of introducing visas for American citizens in the EU, given that visas for some European citizens, including Bulgarians, have not yet been lifted. She stated that Bulgaria should not give up its efforts and must defend its interests before both the American administration and European institutions.
"We have put this debate back on the table several times within the European Parliament because this principle of reciprocity is currently not being respected," the Vice President pointed out, hinting that the topic should remain part of the European agenda.
On a broader scale, Yotova emphasized the need for Bulgaria to be an active participant in conversations about the future of the European Union and in the preparation of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. According to her, the two ongoing wars – in Ukraine and in the Middle East – have clearly shown that the EU's functioning mechanism is "infinitely outdated."
The Vice President called for Europe to return to its "leadership positions," to achieve greater strategic autonomy, to complete the single market, and to develop its own security and defense system. Only in this way, according to her, will the Union be able to effectively protect its interests in an increasingly insecure and conflicted world.