Rumen Radev declares Bulgaria will not join "Coalition of the Willing" supporting Ukraine.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced on Tuesday that Bulgaria will not participate in the "Coalition of the Willing," a group coordinating military and financial support for Ukraine. Speaking in Paris, Rumen Radev stated that the solution to the conflict lies in "a strong diplomatic mission," rather than prolonged military action. Radev reiterated that while Bulgaria remains fully engaged with NATO and the EU, it does not belong in the coalition, despite an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron. He previously cautioned that the West lacks the capability for a conventional military victory against Russia. These comments signal a pivot toward diplomatic realism regarding the ongoing conflict. Radev has repeatedly argued that the war cannot be won on the battlefield. Furthermore, since assuming office, Bulgaria has halted arms shipments to Ukraine. The Prime Minister's statements underscore a preference for addressing global security concerns through diplomacy rather than continued collective military involvement.

Sources