Bulgaria's empty chair in European security

"After the first 100 days, we are already seeing the consequences we warned about. Bulgaria is falling out of the formats where the future of European security is being decided," wrote Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria on social media.

Isolation is not sovereignty, and an empty chair is not an independent policy. When you are absent, you let others make the decisions without you.

Key meetings without Bulgarian participation

The reason for the criticism was the upcoming meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" on August 24, dedicated to Ukraine. Leading European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, and Andy Burnham will participate in the discussions, along with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to Mirchev, the fact that Bulgaria was not invited is a direct consequence of the policy pursued by the caretaker government of President Rumen Radev.

The position of President Radev

For his part, President Rumen Radev has repeatedly expressed his opinion that "Bulgaria's place is not in the coalition of the willing." According to him, the conflict in Ukraine should not be resolved through military aid, but through diplomatic efforts to end the escalation.

  • Bulgaria outside key European formats.
  • Discrepancy between the presidential institution and Euro-Atlantic partners.
  • Risks of the country's foreign policy isolation.