Radev: Bulgaria will not join new €70bn Ukraine aid package

Bulgaria will not participate in providing an additional €70 billion in aid to Ukraine, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said following a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Varna, BNR correspondent Daniela Stoynova reports.

"Ukraine is a stabilising factor and Europe supports it. If Russia abandons its aggressive actions, the war will come to an end," von der Leyen said, commenting on a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urging Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to join the countries pledging additional funds to Kyiv.

In response, Radev said Bulgaria continued to support Ukraine through electricity exports, the restoration of energy and railway infrastructure, and assistance provided free of charge to thousands of Ukrainian families. He said this support was particularly evident in Varna, which is home to a large number of Ukrainian families.

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"As far as financial support is concerned, we ourselves are subject to an excessive deficit procedure, and Ms von der Leyen is constantly urging us to bring our deficit within the 3% limit. We are therefore making every effort within our current financial means. However, Bulgaria is by no means blocking common EU decisions or the willingness of other countries to provide assistance as they see fit," Radev said.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova