EditLavrov trolls Bulgaria’s prime minister Radev: “I know him well”
Former Bulgarian deputy prime minister Ivailo Kalfin described the statement as "extremely humiliating for Bulgaria"
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has continued Moscow’s foreign policy provacation on Bulgaria, commenting on new Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s positions towards Ukraine and EU.
In an interview with Russian state television VGTRK, Lavrov addressed Radev’s pledge to withdraw Bulgaria from the so-called “coalition of the willing” supporting Ukraine, as well as his position that the war should be resolved through diplomatic means.
Asked whether the European Union would be able to put pressure on Radev, Lavrov replied, as quoted by the website of his ministry:
“I know the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Radev well. He ran in the elections under the slogan of national interests, rather than subordination to the EU bureaucracy. There are quite a few such examples of people with similar intentions who, upon nonetheless coming to power, behaved differently. Some will be able to uphold the principled convictions with which they went into the elections. Others will prove susceptible to pressure. Let them sort it out among themselves over there.”
It remains unclear what Lavrov means by “knowing well” Radev, as no bilateral meeting between the two of them is recorded.
A week before Lavrov’s remarks, Yuri Pilipson, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department, told TASS that Bulgaria’s rhetoric towards Russia had become more restrained and pragmatic since the new government, led by the former president, came to power.
The relatively junior Russian diplomat said it was still too early to speak of a resumption of mutually beneficial Russian-Bulgarian cooperation.
“In the foreseeable future, this will be hindered by Sofia’s high degree of political dependence on Brussels,” the diplomat concluded.
Former Bulgarian deputy prime minister Ivailo Kalfin described the statement as “extremely humiliating for Bulgaria”.
“If someone does not understand it, they should. If we want to be dependent on Moscow and independent from Brussels, someone needs to explain that. But for some junior official in Moscow to pat us on the back and tell us, ‘You are very dependent on Brussels’ – I personally find that offensive,” Kalfin said.
In July, Prime Minister Radev refused to join the so-called “coalition of the willing”, but the move was largely symbolic because Bulgaria continues to align itself with EU positions on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Radev has already met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed possible defence cooperation, particularly the sharing of Ukraine’s experience in using drones and autonomous systems in warfare.
On sanctions against Russia, Radev has so far stressed that they must not harm Bulgarian interests. Bulgaria managed to block sanctions targeting Russian Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov, the founder of Lukoil.
EU softens 21st sanctions package against Russia as Bulgaria secures key exemptions
In July, Radev argued that there was nothing wrong with an EU member state defending its national interest, saying that such behaviour was respected by its partners. Many Bulgarian political analysts suspect that his stance is driven primarily by domestic considerations, given the significant share of pro-Russian voters supporting him.
At the same time, many pro-European Bulgarians who voted for the former president are hoping for reforms in the country, forcing Radev to balance his positions.
Against this backdrop, Lavrov rejected the possibility of Russia simply ending hostilities along the current line of contact, saying Moscow believes a “long-term, reliable and sustainable settlement” is necessary.
He repeated Vladimir Putin’s position that all the objectives of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation” will be achieved.
“The enemy will be defeated, victory will be ours, our cause is just,” the foreign minister said, explaining that he was quoting Russian soldiers.
Sources: Website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TASS, bTV, Mediapool
Caption: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Equatorial Guinea Simeon Oyono Esono Angue (not pictured) during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, 18 May 2026. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV / POOL
Updated: August 19, 2026 - 05:46
