Bulgarian President Radev criticised over Kyiv declaration and mixed foreign policy signals

Opposition leaders—including former prime ministers Boyko Borisov and Nikolay Denkov and Da, Bulgaria co‑chair Ivaylo Mirchev—accused President Rumen Radev of delivering contradictory messages to Bulgaria’s Western partners. They highlighted the “Kiev declaration” signed by foreign minister Velsislava Petrova, which they say binds Bulgaria to a coalition supporting Ukraine, while Radev’s statements suggest a different stance. Denkov argued that Radev still does not understand that Russia must be compelled to cease its aggression, and Mirchev warned that Bulgaria appears to have “one foot in Putin’s sinking ship” while assuring the West of continued alignment.

The critics called for a convening of the Consultative Council for National Security, citing constitutional requirements that such a council meet at least every three months—a rule they say Radev has ignored, holding only two meetings in his second term, one reportedly about vaping. They also pointed to internal debates in the United States over new sanctions against Russia and recent pressure on Hungary’s president, contextualising Bulgaria’s foreign‑policy dilemma within broader Western discussions.

Overall, the opposition claims the government’s split approach undermines Bulgaria’s reliability as a European ally and urges clearer policy direction ahead of upcoming presidential elections.