Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the country will cease providing weapons from its army stocks to Ukraine, advocating for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. While direct military aid will stop, Bulgaria's defense industry will continue to supply ammunition.
Bulgaria's decision to halt direct weapons supplies marks a shift in its military support for Ukraine, potentially impacting the flow of Soviet-era armaments and signaling a growing reluctance among some EU and NATO members to continue arming Kyiv, while highlighting the ongoing debate over diplomatic versus military solutions to the conflict.
Bulgaria will no longer provide weapons from its army stocks to Ukraine, Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Radev stated that the country has "already given enough" and that continuing military aid is causing socio-economic damage.
While direct military shipments from state arsenals will cease, Bulgaria's defense industry is expected to continue supplying ammunition to Kyiv. Radev, who has previously called for dialogue with Moscow, expressed conviction that the war cannot be won militarily, emphasizing the need for a "comprehensive and realistic approach" and a "diplomatic solution."
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov echoed these sentiments, describing the conflict as a "war of attrition" and suggesting Ukraine requires more personnel rather than additional weaponry. He indicated that discussions for a "just peace" should commence, acknowledging the EU's role but noting its involvement as a supporter of Ukraine complicates its mediation potential.
The decision has faced criticism from the center-right GERB party, led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who argued that halting military aid erodes Bulgaria's standing as an ally. Bulgaria, a member of both NATO and the European Union, has been supplying military aid since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, with shipments often routed through third countries due to domestic political controversy. The country plans to increase its defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.