Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has announced that Bulgaria will oppose the EU’s proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia if it targets Patriarch Kirill of Moscow or Lukoil-linked figure Vagit Alekperov, citing national energy interests. Radev also confirmed Bulgaria’s agreement with Ukraine will remain intact. Most notably, he revealed he proposed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a joint Bulgaria-Ukraine project to construct the Belene nuclear power plant, potentially EU-financed, with electricity routed to Ukraine through Romania.
In-Depth:
Prime Minister Rumen Radev has outlined Bulgaria’s stance on several key foreign and energy policy issues during a parliamentary question-and-answer session, including sanctions on Russia, cooperation with Ukraine, and the future of nuclear energy projects.
Radev confirmed that Bulgaria is prepared to oppose the European Union’s proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia if it includes Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Vagit Alekperov, a senior figure linked to Lukoil’s operations in Bulgaria. He stated the decision is driven by the necessary to protect national energy interests, while emphasizing that his position is not focapplyd on individuals but on broader strategic implications.
“I am not interested in the individual himself, but Patriarch Kirill is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church,” Radev noted during the session, responding to questions regarding possible restrictive measures.
The prime minister also addressed Bulgaria’s existing agreement with Ukraine, stating that it will remain in force. According to him, international agreements must be respected, and there is no intention to revoke the document signed by the caretaker government led by Andrey Gyurov.
In addition, Radev revealed that he had proposed a joint initiative to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky involving the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant. The idea envisions a shared project between Bulgaria and Ukraine, potentially financed through EU mechanisms, with electricity supplies to Ukraine routed via Romania.
The proposal forms part of broader discussions on energy cooperation and regional infrastructure development, as Bulgaria continues to balance its commitments within the European Union with its bilateral relations and domestic energy strategy.
