AI Generated Image
Russian bishop known as Putin's "personal priest" targeted by EU sanctions
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- The European Union imposed sanctions on over 80 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war in Ukraine, including Georgiy Shevkunov, a senior Russian Orthodox bishop known as President Putin's "confessor," for spreading propaganda supporting the invasion.
- The sanctions target those involved in Russia's military-industrial complex, drone manufacturing, propaganda efforts, and funding of the war through oil exports, as well as officials implicated in the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that these measures aim to pressure Russia to end the war by collapsing the foundations of its war economy, which has already suffered losses exceeding $1 trillion due to Western sanctions.
- The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions on financial transactions with the blacklisted individuals and organizations, further restricting Russia's operational capabilities.
- The announcement coincided with a Russian missile attack on Ukrainian cities, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for increased pressure on Moscow at the G7 summit.
