Kremlin Mocks Bulgaria's Ukraine Stance, Calls It 'Too Weak' to Help

Russia views Bulgaria's recent position on Ukraine not as a political rapprochement with Moscow, but as an indication of the country's diminishing capacity to provide support, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. Zakharova suggested that certain European nations are scaling back their assistance to Kyiv not due to a change in political outlook, but because they lack the resources to continue. These remarks followed a meeting in Kyiv involving Ukraine and Southeast European countries, where Bulgaria's stance had raised questions. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova did not formally sign the meeting's declaration, although no participating official signed the document formally. Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić was noted as the only leader to openly oppose the declaration's content. Zakharova further commented that Bulgaria's reserved position should not be mistaken for sympathy towards Moscow. She asserted that countries adopting more cautious stances are increasingly unable to maintain their commitments to Ukraine. "The 'stick discipline' is beginning to break down," Zakharova stated, implying that the EU's pressure on Balkan states to demonstrate loyalty to Euro-Atlantic militaristic ambitions is faltering. She added that populations in Southeast Europe are beginning to understand the "essence of Western plans, which threaten to unleash a large-scale conflict in Europe." Despite Sofia's recent actions regarding Ukraine initiatives, Russia continues to classify Bulgaria as an unfriendly state, a designation implemented after bilateral relations deteriorated.

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The 'stick discipline' is beginning to break down.