Russian Priest Linked to Putin Hit by EU Sanctions Over Ukraine War Propaganda

The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on more than 80 individuals and entities in response to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Among those targeted is Georgiy Shevkunov, an Orthodox priest often referred to in Russia as President Vladimir Putin's "confessor."

Known also as Metropolitan Tikhon, Shevkunov is a senior bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church. The EU statement cited his role in "spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation" aimed at justifying the invasion of Ukraine as the reason for the sanctions. He was appointed Metropolitan of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, in 2023.

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We approved another batch of sanctions to put more pressure on Russia to end the war.

Shevkunov was one of 34 individuals and 47 entities added to the EU's Russia sanctions list. The bloc's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stated that these measures are intended to "put more pressure on Russia to end the war" and are "collapsing the foundations of Russia's war economy."

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Brick by brick, we are collapsing the foundations of Russia's war economy.

The sanctions encompass individuals and organizations involved in the production and supply of military equipment to Russian forces, alleged Russian propagandists, and those facilitating Russia's war funding through oil exports. Additionally, 15 individuals, including judges and prosecutors implicated in the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, were sanctioned.

These sanctions were announced on the same day Russia launched a significant missile barrage against Ukrainian cities, causing casualties and damage. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged G7 leaders to intensify pressure on Moscow.

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Every measure shrinks Russia's room for maneuver.