Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Rumen Radev for Le Monde: Bulgaria must not be an enemy to Russia

Rumen Radev
Photo: BGNES

“Bulgaria is a loyal member of NATO and the EU. Historically and culturally, Bulgaria has always been a European country. It has chosen a stable and unswerving path of pro-European development. We shall not stray from it. We want to assert ourselves as a most reliable NATO partner. But that does not mean we have to be an enemy to Russia, a country we have important economic interests with,” said President-elect of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, in an interview for the French Le Monde, in answer to a question whether there will be any changes in Bulgaria’s relations with the EU and NATO, stressing that during their election campaigning, he and his running mate Iliana Iotova had made it a point to uphold this clear position. 

Answering a question why he is in favour of lifting the sanctions against Russia Rumen Radev says: “Sanctions are not a solution to the problem. They harm Russia but also the EU. For strong economies that is not a problem, but for a fragile economy like Bulgaria’s it is. They have a direct effect on agriculture. Bulgarian companies are closing down, jobs are being lost.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

March of Tolerance ''We Remember''

Politicians and citizens mark the 82nd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews

An official ceremony and a March of Tolerance named ''We Remember'' took place in Sofia to mark the 82nd anniversary of the rescue of Bulgarian Jews and to honor the memory of Jews who died in the Nazi death camps. This date was chosen..

published on 3/9/25 1:32 PM

40 years since the bombing of Bunovo station

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the bombing of Bunovo railway station, in which 7 people were killed and 9 severely injured. On 9 March 1985, a bomb exploded in a carriage designated for mothers and children on the Burgas-Sofia train. The..

published on 3/9/25 7:45 AM

Sunny Sunday with temperatures reaching 21°C

The night will be clear and calm. Minimum temperatures will be between -3°C and 2°C in most places, around 1°C in Sofia. Sunday will be sunny with scattered high clouds and moderate easterly winds, especially in northern areas. Maximum temperatures..

published on 3/8/25 7:05 PM