EU Sanctions Target Russian Bishop ‘Putin’s Personal Priest’

European Union Sanctions Over Moscow’s Invasion

The European Union imposed sanctions on more than 80 individuals and entities in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday. The list includes an Orthodox priest referred to as President Vladimir Putin’s “confessor.”

Georgiy Shevkunov, also known as Metropolitan Tikhon, a senior bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church, was targeted for spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at justifying the war.

Shevkunov, often referred to as Putin’s “personal priest” or “confessor,” was named Metropolitan of Crimea in 2023. In February last year, Russia’s FSB security service said it had arrested two people after thwarting a Ukrainian-ordered plot to kill the prelate.

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said the sanctions aim to put more pressure on Russia to end the war and strike at the heart of Russia’s military-industrial complex, its shadow fleet, and networks that fuel Moscow’s hybrid attacks against Europe.

Western sanctions have already cost Russia over $1 trillion, Kallas said. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and a prohibition on making any funds available to those blacklisted.

The sanctions target individuals involved in the manufacturing and supply of drones and military equipment to Russian forces, alleged Russian propagandists, firms funding Russia’s war via oil shipments, and 15 people allegedly involved in the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

In response to Russia firing a barrage of missiles at several major Ukrainian cities on Monday, killing at least 11 people and sparking a blaze at an important Orthodox monastery, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more pressure on Moscow from G7 leaders gathering in France.