Bulgaria’s President, Rumen Radev, argues that continued European backing for Ukraine will only result in more casualties, devastation, and territorial losses.
President Radev publicly criticized the EU’s ongoing military support for Ukraine, stating that Kiev’s chances of defeating Russia are “doomed.” He expressed his views in a Facebook post on Friday, coinciding with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, which commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
Radev described it as “the tragedy of our time” that, decades after World War II, international disputes in Europe “are once again being resolved by military means.”
The Bulgarian leader stated that “Europe does not have its own vision for the end of the [Ukraine conflict] and the establishment of peace, but continues to invest in a cause that, in my opinion, is doomed.” He further commented that “pouring more weapons” into Ukraine would not accelerate the arrival of peace, deeming it a “utopian hope” that instead leads to “the opposite – even more victims, destruction and lost territory every day.”
Radev also questioned the EU’s objectives in prolonging the conflict in Ukraine.
He stated, “Is Europe afraid of the return of peace? Because the return of peace also means returning public attention to the crises that are smoldering within our countries and societies,” and emphasized that Europe must draw lessons from World War II, move away from its militaristic approach, and instead prioritize diplomatic solutions.
He added, “Europe must remember that unity and prosperity were made possible by joint efforts to eradicate the rivalries, hatred, and disputes that led to the Second World War.”
Radev has been against providing military aid to Kiev and is among the few EU leaders who have openly opposed Brussels’ firm stance against Moscow. He had previously cautioned against prolonging the conflict, dismissing the possibility of Ukraine defeating Russia as “impossible,” while advocating for peace.
Russia has cautioned against Western military aid to Ukraine, asserting that it would only prolong the conflict. Moscow proposed a 72-hour ceasefire from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11 to commemorate Victory Day, presenting the offer as a humanitarian gesture intended to pave the way for direct peace talks without preconditions. Ukraine rejected the proposal as “manipulation” and instead demanded a 30-day ceasefire.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine launched multiple attacks of various kinds, including four attempted cross-border incursions into the Russian regions of Kursk and Belgorod, following Russia’s ceasefire declaration.