Bulgaria Quits Ukraine Coalition, Backs EU Sanctions and Winter Energy Aid
Updated
Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 16
Bulgaria Quits Ukraine Coalition, Backs EU Sanctions and Winter Energy Aid
3 articles · Updated · Kyiv Post · Jul 16
Summary
Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova said in Kyiv that Sofia’s exit from the UK- and French-led “Coalition of the Willing” does not end support for Ukraine, but shifts it toward diplomacy and practical help.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev, whose government took office in May, said military and financial aid would prolong the war and argued diplomatic options to end the fighting have not been exhausted.
Monday’s Paris summit went ahead without Bulgarian representation despite a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, underscoring Sofia’s break with the coalition’s military approach.
Energy security is set to become the main channel of cooperation, with Bulgaria pointing to regional gas routes, LNG access and winter supply support after Zelensky and Radev discussed deeper ties earlier in July.
Sofia also says it backs EU sanctions that hurt Russia more than member states, even as it opposed listing Patriarch Kirill in the proposed 21st package and says it will not block Ukraine’s EU accession talks.