Bulgaria halts arms supplies to Ukraine: Prime minister explains why
Photo: Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev (Getty Images)
Bulgaria will no longer participate in the new round of European funding for Ukraine and will not supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition from its military stockpiles, says Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, according to g4media.ro.
Radev said that Bulgaria is currently subject to an excessive budget deficit procedure. The country is facing difficulties with its reserves, so under the current circumstances, it cannot provide financial assistance.
"As for financial assistance, we ourselves are under an excessive deficit procedure, and Ms. Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly asked us to reduce the deficit below the 3% limit," the prime minister said.
He stressed that Bulgaria would not prevent other EU member states from making their own decisions regarding the provision of financial assistance.
Bulgaria is ready to discuss mechanisms that would guarantee that the funds are used exclusively for humanitarian needs, electricity supplies, and medical assistance – rather than for purchasing weapons.
If Bulgaria acts as a guarantor, Radev insists on introducing mechanisms that would allow the funds to be directed straight to the Bulgarian community concentrated in several regions of Ukraine.
The prime minister added that Bulgaria is no longer supplying Ukraine with weapons and ammunition from its military stockpiles.
According to him, Bulgarian defense companies carried out exports in very large volumes in 2022 and 2023, but the figures gradually declined afterward.
Radev explained this by the changing nature of the war: while there was an acute need for ammunition at the initial stage, demand has now shifted toward unmanned aerial vehicles.
The second round of Bulgaria's presidential election took place on November 1.
According to the vote count, incumbent head of state Iliana Iotova, who advocates dialogue with Russia and opposes aid to Ukraine, won the election.
