Article Title
“Adversary of sanctions against Russia,” “pro-Kremlin,” “eurosceptic,” “benevolent towards Moscow”: this is how Western analysts see Roumen Radev, without taking him for the new Orban of the EU, emphasizing that Roumen Radev does not question Bulgaria’s place in the EU and NATO.
However, they argue that while he was president, Roumen Radev refrained from criticizing the war waged by Russia in Ukraine, criticized the EU sanctions against Moscow, and considered Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro without a referendum as a bad idea.
“There is no room for illusions and chaotic actions in this world that is becoming an increasingly worrying, unpredictable, and dangerous place,” Radev emphasized in his electoral campaign, adding that our country must work to consolidate our defense capabilities and the alliances of which we are members.
Context: Roumen Radev’s stance on international relations and foreign policy is scrutinized by analysts and compared to his predecessor’s policies.
But this is no longer just about loyalty, it also takes competence and willingness to defend our national interest in these alliances because if we want these alliances to be strong, the countries that make them up must also be strong,” indicated the former president of the Republic and current leader of “Progressive Bulgaria,” who won an absolute majority in the new parliament.
Roumen Radev avoids direct confrontations with the West. Following his victory in the April 19 elections, he insisted to foreign media on a critical mindset and pragmatism in Europe:
Context: Roumen Radev’s victory in the legislative elections and his approach to foreign policy are discussed and analyzed by experts.
Photo: Coalition “Progressive Bulgaria”
Our main goal is to preserve peace and ensure that Bulgaria is not involved in any way in the armed conflicts around us. It is not us who provoked these wars, so it is not up to us to pay for them. Not a penny should come from us to fuel wars; on the contrary, our money should stay here for our retirees, for our children. This is our objective,” declared Roumen Radev at an electoral meeting in early April.
Analysts do not expect Roumen Radev to question the adoption of the euro or the EU funding flows to Bulgaria, nor to block EU decisions.
The European institutions have politely reacted to Roumen Radev’s victory and expressed readiness for fruitful cooperation with this new political actor in Europe. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, refrained from discussing expectations or fears of a potential change in Bulgaria’s foreign policy towards Ukraine after the electoral victory of “Progressive Bulgaria,” opting to wait until the new Bulgarian government is formed before making judgments.
Context: Maria Simonova, a director at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Sofia, provides insights into the potential foreign policy approach of Roumen Radev’s future government and its implications for EU relations.
“I will start by mentioning a question of domestic policy, but which is directly related to Bulgaria’s position in Europe: the reform of our institutions. This is linked to the rule of law, the fight against corruption. We cannot implement decisions in foreign policy if our partners and allies are not certain that our institutions are healthy and cannot succumb to external influences, to hybrid attacks. I think it is in Bulgaria’s interest that we are more active, especially in the Black Sea region. The EU is a relatively recent actor in this region and expects Bulgaria and Romania to propose initiatives. We can also be more active in the EU enlargement,” concluded Maria Simonova.
Photo: RNB – Ludmila Jelezova/Pixabay
:fill(black)/2026/05/05/69f9b43713385978551602.jpg "A great match to play: Antoine Griezmann one step away from one last final.")
