Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has called for a major change in Europe’s approach to the war in Ukraine, arguing that Bulgaria must prioritize the security and living standards of its own citizens before committing additional financial support to Kyiv.
Speaking during an official visit to Paris ahead of talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Radev said Bulgaria has already provided military, political, humanitarian, and diplomatic assistance to Ukraine but warned that future commitments should be considered carefully in light of growing budgetary pressures and the evolving security environment.
According to Radev, Bulgaria’s government must first guarantee the welfare and security of Bulgarian citizens before allocating further resources to the conflict.
The prime minister also expressed hope that Europe would finally begin direct negotiations with Russia, arguing that the European Union should have taken a leading role in diplomatic efforts rather than allowing other global actors to dominate the process.
Radev voiced concern over what he described as Europe’s attempt to achieve a conventional military victory against the world’s largest nuclear power without adequate defenses against modern hypersonic weapons, calling the situation a serious strategic risk.
