Bulgarian Prime Minister Pledges to Protect National Interests in EU Russia Sanctions Debate
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has pledged to safeguard his country’s national interests as the European Union prepares to discuss its proposed 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Radev said Bulgaria remains committed to its obligations within the European Union and NATO while ensuring that any decisions taken at the European level do not harm the country’s economic or security interests.
The prime minister emphasized that Sofia does not intend to block the sanctions package but will voice reservations regarding specific provisions that could negatively affect Bulgaria.
Radev warned against measures that might jeopardize the country’s energy security or trigger costly international legal disputes, referring to potential arbitration involving the operations of Russian energy company Lukoil in Bulgaria. He argued that constructive dialogue, rather than confrontation, offers the best path to resolving such issues.
Rejecting claims that Bulgaria’s foreign policy has drifted away from its Western allies, Radev pointed to recent high-level engagements with leaders from Germany, France and the United Kingdom as evidence of strong diplomatic ties.
Addressing the war in Ukraine, the prime minister reiterated Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine’s post-war recovery while stressing that Sofia would not back initiatives it believes could complicate efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He also confirmed that Bulgaria has no intention of ending its bilateral security cooperation agreement with Ukraine, noting that the accord does not require military involvement and includes commitments related to the Bulgarian minority, education in the Bulgarian language and regional security in the Black Sea.
Radev further revealed that discussions continue over the future of the Belene nuclear power plant, including the possibility of developing a joint nuclear energy project with Ukraine supported by European funding.
The prime minister dismissed opposition accusations that his stance favors Moscow, insisting that Bulgaria’s foreign policy is designed to balance its international commitments with its national security and economic priorities.
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