Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on May 27 that Europe should reconsider its overall approach to the war in Ukraine and signalled Sofia may limit future military and financial support, citing security risks and domestic budget pressures.

Speaking to reporters in Paris ahead of talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Radev said that Europe was pursuing a conventional victory over Russia without adequate defences against advanced weapons.

“Europe is striving to achieve a conventional victory over the largest nuclear power without having the capabilities to intercept and counter modern hypersonic weapons. This is a serious risk,” he said, according to Dnevnik.

Radev called for a shift in EU policy towards the conflict and said he would welcome efforts to start negotiations with Moscow, adding that Europe should lead such talks rather than leave the initiative to external actors, i.e. the US.

“There must be a change in Europe’s overall policy regarding the conflict in Ukraine,” he said.

His comments suggest a potential recalibration of Bulgaria’s stance on Ukraine, though he stopped short of announcing concrete changes. Sofia has been a key supplier of ammunition compatible with Soviet-era weapons used by Ukrainian forces.

“Bulgaria has provided support to Ukraine so far… but in the context of the new security environment, we must be very careful, especially when it comes to military and financial support,” Radev said, according to Mediapool. “Our government should first guarantee the standard of living and security of Bulgarian citizens, only then can we think about allocating money for this topic.”

It remains unclear whether the remarks signal an actual policy shift or are aimed at a domestic audience, as Radev has not formally initiated a review of aid to Kyiv.

Ahead of his meeting with Macron, Radev said discussions would focus on European security, energy diversification, defence cooperation and Ukraine, as well as the EU prospects of North Macedonia, BTA reported.

He said France was a key partner in modernising Bulgaria’s armed forces, with planned projects including 3D radars, next-generation artillery and naval equipment. Cooperation in nuclear energy is also expanding, including supplies of fresh fuel for Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear plant.

Radev also said he expected French support for its position on North Macedonia’s EU accession process, including implementation of commitments to include Bulgarians in its constitution.

“In 2021, for the first time, I raised with European leaders the issue of including Macedonian Bulgarians in the Constitution… I believe that at today’s meeting we will ensure the support of France so that this consensus is implemented in its entirety,” he said.

The Paris trip marks Radev’s second foreign visit since taking office following his election victory in April, which ended years of political instability and coalition deadlock in Bulgaria.

He is due to travel to Brussels on May 28 for meetings with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.