Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated during parliamentary control that Bulgaria will place reservations on the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia, saying the move is driven by what he described as the country’s national interest.
“I will do this because I defend and uphold the Bulgarian national interest,” he said in parliament, rejecting criticism of Bulgaria’s foreign policy stance and insisting that Sofia’s positions remain consistent and aligned with its allies.
Radev emphasized that Bulgaria’s relations with EU and NATO partners remain stable, adding that he does not believe his approach has weakened ties with allied states. He pointed to recent meetings and visits with European leaders, including in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as evidence of ongoing diplomatic engagement.
Addressing concerns over Bulgaria’s participation in joint statements within NATO formats, Radev said the country continues to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. At the same time, he stressed that Bulgaria would not endorse declarations he considers unhelpful for resolving the conflict, arguing that some documents risk escalating tensions rather than contributing to a settlement.
He also confirmed that Bulgaria does not intend to withdraw from its security cooperation agreement with Ukraine. According to him, the document does not impose binding military obligations or deadlines but instead outlines a framework for assessing possible areas of cooperation. Radev added that the agreement also includes provisions related to the rights of the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine, education in the Bulgarian language, and security in the Black Sea region.
