Is Bulgarian prime minister Rumen Radev sizing up the EU’s Orbán-shaped hole?
Summary
Rumen Radev, Bulgaria’s new prime minister and leader of the Progressive Bulgaria party, has shifted the country’s foreign policy to be more transactional and cautious about supporting Ukraine. While staying committed to the EU and NATO, he has pulled back some support for Ukraine and shown signs of closer ties with Russia and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.Key Facts
- Rumen Radev became Bulgaria’s prime minister in 2026 after his party won a strong majority.
- Bulgaria stopped military support to Ukraine, with Radev saying he thought Ukraine’s cause was “doomed.”
- Bulgaria did not join a tribunal to prosecute Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
- Radev pulled Bulgaria out of a group of countries helping Ukraine militarily.
- Bulgaria agreed to host up to eight US refueling tankers at a military base to support US Middle East operations.
- Radev has shown more support for Orthodox Christianity and conservative family values.
- He threatened to veto new EU sanctions on Russia related to the war in Ukraine, citing concern over the Russian Orthodox Church.
- Experts say Radev’s foreign policy is inconsistent and partly motivated by politics, including a gesture toward Russia.
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