Bulgaria's positions on aid to Ukraine: Divergence or diplomacy?

16.07.2026 | Foreign policy

MP Petar Vitanov comments on the positions of the head of state and the foreign minister regarding the "Coalition of the Willing" and military aid to Ukraine.

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Diplomatic nuances in Bulgarian foreign policy

The chairman of the parliamentary group of "Progressive Bulgaria", Petar Vitanov, commented to the media on the conflicting messages coming from President Rumen Radev and Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova. According to him, Bulgaria clearly states that it will not be an obstacle to common European decisions, but at the same time, it maintains its own position.

"The statements of the President and the Foreign Minister are not in collision, as Petrova is in Kyiv with a focus on energy cooperation," emphasized Vitanov.

The "Coalition of the Willing" – points of contention

The main focus of the discussion was the country's participation in initiatives to support Ukraine. While President Rumen Radev firmly stated that Bulgaria’s place is not in the "Coalition of the Willing," Foreign Minister Petrova emphasized the need for continued pressure on Russia and active political dialogue with Kyiv.

Key highlights of the statements:

Despite the sensitivity of the topic, "Progressive Bulgaria" is calling for a broad public debate on all issues related to the country's foreign policy and security.