Survey outlines Bulgarians' attitudes toward security and transatlantic ties

A poll covering fifteen European countries shows that 7% of Bulgarians firmly view the United States as an ally, 44% as a “necessary partner,” 11% as an adversary with whom cooperation is necessary, and 15% as a country with which Bulgaria is in conflict. The poll was commissioned by the European Council on Foreign Relations and conducted by Mandate Research, YouGov and Turu-uuringute. The survey was carried out online or by telephone between April 30 and May 19, 2026, among 19,481 respondents (adult citizens, including 1,013 Bulgarians) in 15 European countries, reported the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

36% of Bulgarian respondents believe that U.S. President Donald Trump has permanently damaged ties between Europe and the United States, and that they could not be restored even after he leaves office. The survey found that Bulgaria is the only country whose citizens believe that no other European country would come to its aid in the event of need: 23% say Bulgaria would receive no support, while 12% believe that other European countries would definitely provide assistance.

26% of Bulgarians view Ukraine as a necessary partner, 37% say they do not know, and 19% regard it as an enemy. Among the countries surveyed, Bulgaria has the most negative attitudes toward sending military aid to Ukraine.

On security and defense issues, Bulgaria supports both the purchase of weapons from Europe and the creation of an alternative nuclear deterrent that does not rely on the United States, the survey found.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov