Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said his country will not take part in the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” rejecting a French invitation to join a group of nations pressing for continued military and financial aid to Ukraine.
In a statement reported by Bulgarian National Radio on July 14, Radev said he had received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to join the coalition but argued instead for a stronger diplomatic mission to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He expressed belief that the war should be resolved not through military means but through diplomacy.
#### Diplomacy over arms
Radev said Bulgaria’s security matters are decided within the frameworks of NATO and the European Union. When asked whether Sofia would be interested in joining the new European anti-ballistic missile initiative known as “Freya,” the prime minister replied that all collective security questions are handled through existing alliances.
His refusal sets Bulgaria apart from other EU and NATO members that have joined the Coalition of the Willing, a group formed earlier this year to sustain support for Kyiv amid Russia’s ongoing war. The coalition includes France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and several other European nations that have pledged continued weapons deliveries and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Radev’s position aligns with his previous statements urging a negotiated settlement. However, critics of his approach argue that withholding arms from Ukraine weakens its ability to defend itself and undermines the unified stance of Western allies. The Bulgarian prime minister has repeatedly stressed that he sees no military solution to the conflict.
The development comes as Moscow continues its military campaign in Ukraine, with no end in sight. Radev reiterated that Bulgaria remains committed to its NATO and EU obligations but insisted that diplomatic efforts must be intensified.
The decision is likely to be closely watched in Brussels and Washington, where officials have urged allies to maintain unity in supporting Ukraine. Bulgaria, a Black Sea state with a historical relationship with Russia, has been a NATO member since 2004.
For more details, see the full report on [Bulgarian National Radio](https://bnrnews.bg/ru/post/502617/rumen-radev-my-ne-uchastvuem-v-koalitsiyah-po-okazaniyu-voennoy-pomoshti-ukraine).
