Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced on Thursday that Bulgaria intends to veto the latest European Union sanctions package against Russia, citing potential adverse effects on its economy and the government's opposition to sanctions targeting a Russian bishop. The statement concerns the EU's 21st sanctions package and was made in Brussels during the European Council meeting.

During his first European Council meeting as Bulgarian prime minister on June 18, Rumen Radev said his country would veto the package, which includes 34 individuals and 47 entities, unless both Russians were removed from the list. If it does, and unless an agreement is reached, Patriarch Kirill and Alekperov might stay off the sanctions list.

Regarding the new EU sanctions package against Russia, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria will monitor that they do not negatively affect the Bulgarian economy and energy sector. He added: "This is the 21st package of sanctions and we must ask ourselves in what way these sanctions stopped the war and helped for peace."

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has said that some of the sanctions against Russia in the 21st package are unacceptable, claiming they pose a threat to Bulgaria's economy. He said: 'We have already stated our position that we will not allow sanctions that cause damage and pose a risk to the Bulgarian economy.' Radev also said Bulgaria will ask for Patriarch Kirill to be excluded from the sanctions package.

"Bulgaria will veto the next sanctions that the EU plans to impose on the Russian Federation if the Russian Patriarch Kirill and one of the heads of Lukoil in Bulgaria, Vagit Alekperov, are not removed from the sanctions regime." This was announced by Prime Minister Rumen Radev during a parliamentary Q&A. He justified this with the need to guarantee Bulgaria's energy interests and with the fact that Bulgaria is an Orthodox country, noting he has the support of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed from the parliamentary rostrum that Bulgaria will express reservations about the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia. "Not that I am ready, I will do it. Simply and clearly, because I defend and stand up for the Bulgarian national interest," Radev said in answer to a parliamentary question. Bulgaria is already insisting that from the proposed sanctions list Russian Patriarch Kirill and businessman Vagit Alekperov, co-owner of Lukoil, be removed.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev warned that the country may impose a veto on part of the next package of sanctions against Russia. The conditions for this are if they affect Bulgarian economic interests, as well as if personal sanctions are introduced against Russian Patriarch Kirill.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Mr Radev has talked about resuming the free flow of Russian oil and gas into Europe. He has also said that recognising Crimea as Russia is a 'realistic position,' which clashes with EU policy on Ukraine. Yet, Mr Radev denies accusations that he is pro-Russian, presenting himself as a guardian of national interests.

The government of Rumen Radev refused to support the EU sanctions imposed on Russia in their part regarding KGB agent, Patriarch Kirill. On 19 June 2026 Radev announced that he would not allow international sanctions against businessman Vagit Alekperov, since he is an owner in "Lukoil" and "that would mean Bulgaria shooting itself in the foot". The government of Rumen Radev has been accused by the opposition of pro‑Russian policies.

Bulgaria's President, Rumen Radev, known for his pro-Russian stance, has opted out of leading the Bulgarian delegation to the NATO meeting in Washington. This decision stems from his need to uphold his position concerning aid to Ukraine, as disclosed by Radev's press service on Thursday, June 27.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev also threatens that Bulgaria will veto the EU if new sanctions against Russia are voted that include nuclear fuel. The Prime Minister Rumen Radev explains this with Bulgaria's unwillingness to escalate the conflict in Ukraine. These Eurosceptic, anti‑NATO and pro‑Russian actions of the Prime Minister triggered the first protests against the new government in Sofia at the end of June and beginning of July 2026.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev strongly opposed the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia in order to protect the "national interest" and compared attempts to impose sanctions on Russian Patriarch Kirill to a "crusade", while the head of the Russian Orthodox Church firmly supports Putin’s war against Ukraine. Previously, Radev’s government stopped sending weapons from army stockpiles to Kyiv and called for the resumption of dialogue with Moscow.

Bulgaria reportedly wanted Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill removed from the draft 21st EU package of sanctions against Russia and considered some of the proposed sanctions, particularly energy-related ones, harmful to its economy. The report also quotes Radev saying, 'We are one family,' in reference to the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian society.

In a parliamentary briefing, a question to Prime Minister Rumen Radev was whether he is ready to completely block the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. His answer, quoted: "I am only ready to express reservations, I will do it," indicating Bulgaria will place reservations on the 21st sanctions package against Russia.

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian President Rumen Radev has accused Nato of getting involved in the war in Ukraine, which, he said, risks escalation and a ‘nuclear Armageddon’.[3] “With the decision to allow for an attack with Western weapons deep in Russia and the formalisation of sending advisers and instructors to the very front line, these red lines have already been crossed and unfortunately our politicians become part of such inadequate decisions with all the consequences,” Radev said.[3]

Following the European Council meeting in Brussels on June 19, he said Bulgaria would oppose the package in its current form and use its right to vote against it. Bulgaria's main objection remains the possible inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill on the EU sanctions list.

"I do not see what pro‑Russian position I have. I have entirely pro‑Bulgarian positions, I have pro‑European positions," he stated. Former president Rumen Radev, often described as a politician with pro‑Russian attitudes, appears to have won Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Radev is often described as a politician with a pro-Russian, or at least Moscow-friendly, position.[4] He has repeatedly criticised the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, opposed the concept of “peace through strength”, and promoted the thesis that the war should be ended through negotiations with Russia.[4] “I would be glad if Europe finally agreed to start negotiations with Russia; and not just start them — Europe should take the lead in these negotiations,” the Prime Minister told journalists in Paris in May 2026.[4]

Bulgaria would not support the package because of plans to include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on the sanctions list. The outlet also quotes Radev saying Bulgaria would not allow sanctions that damage the Bulgarian economy and that the Russian Orthodox Church contributed to Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule.

Foreign media see Radev as closer to Russia than all previous Bulgarian prime ministers. He has been hesitant in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has criticized EU sanctions and opposes sending weapons to Kyiv. Radev gained a reputation as pro‑Russian through his comments and positions during the nine years he was president, the newspaper notes.

During his presidency, he repeatedly made pro-Russian statements, including describing occupied Crimea as Russian territory.[6] Last month, Radev stated that the European Union should take the lead in negotiations with Russia aimed at bringing an end to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.[6] The article notes that the new government under Radev "will no longer supply weapons" to Ukraine, reflecting his stance on the conflict.[6]

Radev has acknowledged the advantages Bulgaria has gained from its EU membership, all the while advocating for conversations with Russia as the conflict in Ukraine extends into its fifth year. The profile refers to him as a "pro-Russia" ex-pilot and notes that his approach stresses dialogue with Moscow rather than confrontation. This characterization situates his recent public statements about Russia within a longer pattern of advocating engagement with Russia during the ongoing war.

Radev said his decision to boycott the NATO summit hinged on his role, or lack thereof, in crafting Bulgaria's official stance and its commitments regarding Russia's war on Ukraine. The article is earlier than the recent sanctions dispute, but it is relevant background showing a pattern of friction over policy toward Russia and Ukraine.

According to Deutsche Welle’s analysis, the current prime minister "says and does one thing in the EU (continues sanctions on Russia and votes for them to be year‑round), while for domestic use he questions some of the new proposals – such as sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill or Lukoil co‑owner Vagit Alekperov". The article discusses how Radev will be forced to reveal his true positions on Russia and sanctions.

Bulgarian premier vows to defend national interest over EU's new Russia sanctions while maintaining support for Ukraine. The report says Sofia will raise reservations over the bloc's proposed 21st sanctions package, reflecting a cautious stance rather than outright rejection of sanctions.

While Radev has officially condemned Moscow's aggression, he has consistently opposed military aid to Kyiv and has favored discussions with Russia as a means to resolve the conflict.[14] Evelina Slavkova from the Trend research center stated that Radev is unlikely to make substantial efforts to shift Bulgaria's orientation more towards Russia, despite his pro-Russian image.[14]

Al Jazeera English reported that Radev's stance on foreign policy had drawn attention in Europe, leading to a "pro-Russian" label as he objected to a defence pact concluded between Bulgaria and Ukraine in March and had called for the resumption of Russian imports to Europe despite EU sanctions on Russian oil. The BBC framed Radev as a "pragmatic, somewhat pro-Russian leader, who has criticised EU sanctions, and called for constructive dialogue with the Kremlin." The Guardian described Radev as being favorable towards Russia. This encyclopedic summary compiles multiple major outlets’ descriptions of Radev’s foreign-policy line as pro-Russian, particularly regarding sanctions and relations with Moscow.

At 62 years old, Radev is perceived as a pragmatic leader with a somewhat pro-Russian stance, having voiced criticism of EU sanctions and advocated for constructive engagement with Moscow. This is secondary characterization, not a direct quotation from Radev.

Ukraine insists on continuing waging war with Russia, Bulgaria’s pro-Russian President, Rumen Radev, said on Friday – a statement that saw a quick response from the Ukrainian Embassy in Sofia.[9] Radev, who told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine was shying away from a diplomatic solution to the conflict, is known for his pro-Kremlin narrative and for being against sending military aid to Ukraine.[9] The article notes that Radev "repeats some Russian supports that have nothing to do with what the members of the European Union and NATO present as a position."[9]

A mere week after Hungarian voters dispatched Viktor Orban, Bulgarians may have returned a new thorn in the EU’s side—albeit a less painful one—in the form of pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev. His pro-Russian views are evident in claims like "sanctions against Moscow bring no concrete benefits and only harm the economies of Russia and the European Union" and "It is not normal to import oil from distant countries, through straits with high fees and risk, when the cheap oil, for which our [Lukoil-owned] refinery is adapted, is two days away by direct route across the Black Sea [that is, buying from Russia]." He has also voiced a firm opposition to the signing of the Security Cooperation Agreement between Bulgaria and Ukraine.

"The former pro‑Russian president of Bulgaria Rumen Radev won by a large majority, promising to fight corruption," Reuters writes. The Russian state agency TASS cites Radev’s statements as president: that "Ukraine is doomed in the war with Russia" and that supplying weapons to Kyiv is not a solution, that "Russia cannot be an enemy of Bulgaria" and that sanctions against Moscow are senseless and ineffective.

For years, Western media and international news agencies described Rumen Radev as Bulgaria’s “pro-Russian” president.[5] Radev repeatedly called for a more pragmatic relationship with Moscow, criticized sanctions on Russia, questioned the wisdom of military escalation in Ukraine and sparked international controversy when he declared that Crimea was “Russian”—a position he later defended as a realistic assessment and one he argued reflected Bulgarian interests rather than Russian ones.[5]

Al Jazeera English reported that Radev's stance on foreign policy had drawn attention in Europe, leading to a "pro-Russian" label as he objected to a defence pact concluded between Bulgaria and Ukraine in March and had called for the resumption of Russian imports to Europe despite EU sanctions on Russian oil.[10] The BBC framed Radev as a "pragmatic, somewhat pro-Russian leader, who has criticised EU sanctions, and called for constructive dialogue with the Kremlin." The Guardian described Radev as Moscow-friendly and warned it could be bad for the EU.[10]

If current polling data proves accurate, Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev could replace Orbán within the European Union as the bloc’s strongest anti-Ukrainian voice and defender of Russian interests. The analysis notes that Radev has opposed military aid to Ukraine and criticized sanctions on Russia, portraying him as a potential proxy for Russian interests inside the EU. This commentary underscores how his public positions on Russia and Ukraine are interpreted by some Western analysts as serving Moscow’s agenda.

Radev's clear support for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia over Ukraine and ambivalent statements about the EU and NATO have prompted analysts to speculate that he might pursue closer ties with Moscow.[12] "I am convinced that the sanctions do not help but only harm... Russia and the EU countries are equally hurt," Radev said during the campaign.[12] He also shocked observers by repeatedly saying that Crimea "is de jure Ukrainian but de facto Russian".[12]

Radev, seen several years ago as the symbol of Bulgaria’s opposition to high-level corruption, has become openly pro-Russian since the start of the war in Ukraine.[7] However, after the start of Wagner’s mutiny, Radev’s first reaction was to say that Bulgaria should strengthen its defence capabilities within Nato because of Russia, indicating a temporary pivot towards Nato.[7]