Russia has given no indication that it views the Bulgarian government's recent stance on Ukraine as a gesture of goodwill. Instead, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova argued that some European countries are reducing support for Kyiv not because they have changed their political position, but because they are no longer capable of sustaining it.
Zakharova's remarks came after the Ukraine-Southeast Europe meeting in Kyiv, where questions emerged over Bulgaria's position. Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova did not sign the meeting's declaration, although none of the participating officials formally signed the document. Serbia, represented by President Aleksandar Vucic, was the only country to openly object to its contents. Petrova did not publicly challenge the declaration, while Prime Minister Rumen Radev later reiterated that Bulgaria was withdrawing from the so-called Coalition of the Willing.
According to Zakharova, Bulgaria's position should not be interpreted as a sign of sympathy toward Moscow. Instead, she suggested that countries adopting more restrained positions remain committed to supporting Ukraine but are increasingly constrained in their ability to do so.
