Bulgaria’s Radev seeks Central European front against further military aid for Ukraine

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev is seeking to build a long term Central European bloc opposed to continued military support for Ukraine, following meetings with two of the EU’s most outspoken critics of the bloc’s current approach to the war, Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Czechia’s Andrej Babiš.

Just two weeks after hosting Fico in Sofia, Radev welcomed Babiš on Wednesday (16 September), with both sides calling for a stronger focus on peace talks and criticising the continued flow of European money and weapons to Ukraine.

Radev and Babiš have called for a shift in the EU’s approach to the war in Ukraine, opposing continued European financial and military support and arguing that peace should take priority over further weapons deliveries.

The Czech prime minister’s visit in Sofia came just two weeks after Radev hosted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, another outspoken critic of continued military support for Ukraine.

“Regarding the war in Ukraine, we put the wellbeing and security of our citizens ahead of the continuous pouring of money and weapons into this war,” Radev said.

“And as my friend Andrej mentioned, the word peace should be heard more often at our summits, both in the European Union and NATO, because it is unacceptable that a war of attrition is being fought in the heart of Europe, affecting the economies and social systems of our countries,” he added.

According to Babiš, Europe is “absolutely passive” when it comes to ending the war in Ukraine. “US President Donald Trump is constantly talking to Putin, while European leaders are absolutely incapable of taking action to achieve peace,” Babiš said.

Radev defends stance on Russian sanctions

Radev also defended his government’s decision not to support EU sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill, who is closely associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as Vagit Alekperov and Iskander Makhmudov.

Alekperov is one of the owners of Bulgaria’s Lukoil refinery, while Makhmudov owns a company that produces components for Sofia’s metro trains.

Radev aid Bulgaria regarded the issue as a matter of national interest and argued that religion should not become part of the war or sanctions policy.

“There is nothing wrong with every country defending its own interests,” Radev said.

Bulgaria and Czechia seek changes to EU carbon market

Bulgaria and Czechia will push for a revision of the EU’s emissions trading system, including a delay to ETS2, the new carbon-pricing system for fuels used in road transport and buildings, as well as changes to ETS1, the EU’s existing carbon market covering power generation and energy-intensive industry.

“Babiš is one of the strongest supporters and advocates of cheap, reliable and stable electricity in Europe, and we share the view that the European emissions trading system needs to be revised and that ETS2 should be postponed,” Radev said.

Babiš argued that Europe accounts for only around 6% of global emissions while continuing to impose costs on its own economy.

“We are becoming a laughing stock for the whole world because they are making $300 billion, while we want to reduce our emissions, even though Europe is absolutely passive on ending the war in Ukraine,” Babiš said.

The Czech prime minister said Prague would seek support for proposals to delay ETS2 and make changes to ETS1.

He argued that if Europe wants to preserve its industrial base and limit the impact of the energy crisis on households, the introduction of ETS2 should be postponed.

Babiš said the scheme would have a direct impact on refineries, households and housing costs. He also called for ETS1 to be suspended in industrial regions.

According to Babiš, forecasts in 2020 put the price of emissions allowances in 2030 at €26.50, while the price is now around €80. He said Czech industry had lost €6.5 billion as a result.

Czechia eyes Bulgarian gas infrastructure

Babiš also expressed interest in using Bulgaria’s gas infrastructure as Prague looks for alternative supply routes.

“We know that Bulgaria has an excellent gas pipeline system and opportunities for alternative supplies. This is a potential avenue for us for other future gas supplies,” he said.

Radev said Bulgaria was ready to support Czechia and other Central and Eastern European countries in their efforts to diversify and stabilise energy supplies.

“Bulgaria has free access, under clear agreements, to both Greek LNG terminals and five Turkish terminals, and through reserved capacity we can at any time contribute to ensuring reliable natural gas supplies for our partners and friends,” Radev said.

He added that this was only the beginning, pointing to plans for green energy corridors that could run through Bulgaria from North Africa and the Caucasus.

Czechia offers Bulgaria military aircraft

Babiš also announced that Czechia would offer Bulgaria a deal for eight L-39 Skyfox multi-purpose aircraft manufactured by Aero Vodochody.

The Czech company has longstanding ties with the Bulgarian Air Force dating back to its work on the L-39 Albatros fleet. It now aims to expand that cooperation through new projects.

“Mr Radev, as a former and current pilot, will appreciate this,” Babiš said.

Babiš’s visit also included a Bulgarian-Czech business forum, where the two sides discussed opportunities for closer economic cooperation.

Caption: A press conference was held in Sofia following a meeting between Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev (right) and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (left), who arrived in Bulgaria for an official visit at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart. The two prime ministers discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, as well as current issues on the European and international agenda, BGNES/Stephan Vassilev