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

Why Bulgarian MEPs voted against the designation of Russia a state sponsor of terrorism

Euriopean Parliament
Photo: BGNES

With an overwhelming majority, MEPs adopted a resolution recognising Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Out of the total of 12 MEPs from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats who voted against the resolution, 5 are Bulgarian MEPs from the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

Here is how Petar Vitanov, chairman of the delegation of Bulgarian socialists motivated his own vote against the resolution, and that of his colleagues: “You can’t have a resolution calling for restricting all diplomatic contacts. That means not seeking a peaceful settlement, negotiations, but further escalation instead. This harsh rhetoric, I think, means giving Putin free rein. Designate him a terrorist, and you are, to all intents and purposes, giving him the freedom to do whatever he likes in Ukraine, without regard for anything.”

Two of the Bulgarian MEPs, Eva Maydell from the European People’s Party and Andrey Slabakov from the European Conservatives and Reformists, did not take part in the vote.

Reporting by BNR’s correspondent in Brussels Anguelina Piskova



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

Blagoevgrad to host the 32nd edition of the International Mathematics Competition for University Students

From July 28 to August 3, the town of Blagoevgrad (Southwestern Bulgaria) will host the 32nd edition of the prestigious International Mathematics Competition for University Students. Over 550 participants from 143 universities in 52 countries,..

published on 7/27/25 5:40 AM

85 folk ensembles to participate in the "Sparks from the Past" festival in Apriltsi

A total of 85 folk ensembles from across the country will participate in the "Sparks from the Past" festival, which will take place in the mountain town of Apriltsi on July 26 and 27. The open-air stage for the performances will be set up at..

published on 7/26/25 5:45 AM

Red heat alert issued for 12 Bulgarian districts, orange code alert in effect for the rest of the country

On Saturday, it will be sunny and even hotter. In the afternoon, clouds will form over the mountainous regions of Western Bulgaria, and by the evening, also in the northwestern areas. Isolated thunderstorms and rain showers are expected in some..

published on 7/25/25 6:25 PM