The Czech Republic has made a decision to impose sanctions on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. The government accused him of supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine, České Noviny reports.

Patriarch Kirill became the first person to be included in the national sanctions list. He is now banned from entering the Czech Republic. The patriarch is also prohibited from any financial transactions through Czech structures.

The government’s decision states that the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a longtime ally of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. The patriarch is actively supporting the Russian attack on Ukraine and uses his position as head of the Russian Orthodox Church to justify Russian aggression.