Radev: Bulgaria lacks financial capacity to assist Ukraine in 2026

09.07.2026 | Foreign policy

Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that due to an inherited budget deficit, Bulgaria is halting financial contributions to Ukraine. The 2026 draft budget and the country's energy prospects were discussed.

Снимка от Cheep, Wikimedia Commons, под лиценз CC BY 2.5 bg

Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria will not be able to fulfill its financial support commitments to Ukraine this year. According to him, previous administrations left the country in a difficult economic situation.

Budget 2026: Realism or crisis?

During the government meeting, Radev commented on the submitted draft budget for 2026:

"We inherited a looted treasury, but social payments are guaranteed. The budget is difficult, but realistic and puts an end to the practices of previous cabinets."

Energy gateway to Europe

In the context of the NATO summit in Ankara, the Prime Minister emphasized the agreements reached with President Recep Erdoğan. Bulgaria is positioning itself as a key energy gateway for supplies to Central and Eastern Europe, as interest in transit through the country continues to grow.