Bulgaria is ending its participation in the “coalition of the willing,” which brings together countries supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. The announcement was made on July 14 by Prime Minister Rumen Radev, according to Bloomberg.
“We are not taking part in a coalition that insists on continuing financial and military aid to Ukraine,” Radev said.
He said the conflict should be resolved not by prolonging military action, but through diplomatic efforts.
“The solution to this conflict lies not in extending it by military means, but in a strong diplomatic mission that will finally put an end to the escalation,” the Bulgarian prime minister said.
Bloomberg notes that Radev has consistently opposed financial assistance to Ukraine. He has described his stance as a pragmatic approach to relations with Russia.
Bulgaria’s representatives did not attend the meeting of leaders from the “coalition of the willing” held in Paris on July 13, although the country had taken part in previous summits.
The grouping was announced in the spring of 2025 by the governments of the United Kingdom and France. It includes about 30 countries, among them members of the European Union, the United States, Australia, and Japan.