Sofia freezes weapons deliveries, arguing the war cannot be won on the battlefield
SOFIA, June 9 (BV) – Bulgaria will stop sending military aid to Ukraine, marking a significant shift in the country’s policy following the election victory of Prime Minister Rumen Radev and his Russia-friendly coalition.
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced on Tuesday that Sofia would no longer approve new weapons deliveries to Kyiv, arguing that the conflict had entered a prolonged war of attrition with no military solution in sight.
“We have already made it clear that the war in Ukraine will not be resolved on the battlefield,” Stoyanov told reporters. “No matter how much weaponry is supplied, the result is only the loss of human lives. It is time to return to the negotiating table.”
The decision formalizes the new government’s opposition to continued military support for Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Bulgaria had delivered 13 military aid packages to Kyiv and was considered one of the contributors to the broader European effort to support Ukraine’s defense.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev, a former fighter pilot who won April’s parliamentary election by a wide margin, has repeatedly argued that Ukraine should pursue negotiations with Moscow. He has previously described Ukraine’s military campaign as “doomed” and called on the European Union to take a leading role in promoting peace talks.
Despite adopting a more conciliatory approach toward Russia, the Bulgarian government has so far avoided direct confrontation with Brussels. Bulgaria remains heavily dependent on European Union funding and continues to support its broader commitments within NATO and the EU.
Alongside the announcement on Ukraine, Stoyanov unveiled plans to raise Bulgaria’s defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, meeting a target previously endorsed by Radev and significantly increasing military expenditures.
The move highlights a growing divide within Europe over the future of support for Ukraine as the war enters its fifth year and diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled.