EditBulgaria’s pro-Russian ‘Vazrazhdane’ party announces cooperation agreement with Putin’s United Russia
The rapprochement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin profits the country's far right
Bulgaria’s far-right, pro-Kremlin party Vazrazhdane (Revival) has formalised its ties with Russia’s ruling United Russia party by signing a cooperation agreement during a recent visit of its delegation to Moscow.
The agreement, described on Tuesday by Vazrazhdane as a step towards restoring “full-fledged Bulgarian-Russian relations,” was signed by Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Tsoncho Ganev, and Vladimir Yakushev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia.
The Bulgarian delegation, which included also Vazrazhdane MPs Georgi Georgiev and Daniel Prodanov, participated in a forum titled “On the Importance of Victory over Nazism: Lessons from the Creation of the UN,” hosted by United Russia. The event was part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties between nationalist parties aligned with Moscow’s geopolitical vision.
Vazrazhdane, currently the third-largest party in Bulgaria’s parliament with 33 MPs, has consistently opposed Bulgaria’s Euro-Atlantic orientation. The party advocates for neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, withdrawal from NATO, and halting Bulgaria’s planned adoption of the euro. It also maintains a strong presence on social media, where it disseminates pro-Russian narratives and disinformation.
In February 2024, Vazrazhdane announced its affiliation with the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, which includes France’s Rassemblement National, Italy’s Lega, and Germany’s AfD . However, the party later joined the new sovereigntist group led by AfD, Europe of Sovereign Nations Group, reflecting internal shifts within Europe’s far-right alliances.
The party’s leader, Kostadin Kostadinov, has been a controversial figure in Bulgarian politics. In 2023, he called for the “annihilation” of pro-European parties, labelling them as “megaphones of the American embassy”. Kostadinov has also been banned from entering Ukraine, where authorities suspect him of acting as a Russian agent.
Despite Russia designating Bulgaria as an “unfriendly country” following the invasion of Ukraine, Vazrazhdane continues to cultivate ties with Moscow. The party has also engaged with other pro-Russian and far-right parties across Europe, including Hungary’s Our Homeland and Moldova’s Revival and Socialist parties.
The rapprochement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is wind in the sails of Bulgarian pro-Russian forces.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), part of the current governing coalition, has also maintained open channels with the Kremlin. In November 2024, BSP MP Ivan Petkov attended a BRICS forum in Sochi and met with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, highlighting the enduring influence of pro-Russian sentiment within segments of Bulgaria’s political landscape.
These developments underscore the complex dynamics of Bulgarian politics, where pro-Russian parties continue to exert influence amid the country’s ongoing Euro-Atlantic integration efforts.
Updated: April 29, 2025 - 10:04
