Bulgaria will continue to support Ukraine but has halted further military donations from its armed forces after reaching the limits of its capacity, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said on June 23.

In a response to a parliamentary question, Radev said the decision reflects the need to preserve Bulgaria’s defence capabilities and fiscal stability, following 13 military aid packages to Kyiv.

“After 13 military support packages, Bulgaria has reached the limit of what it can provide from the resources of the Armed Forces without compromising national defence capabilities,” he said, BGNES reported.

Radev stressed that the suspension of army donations does not signal a withdrawal of support for Ukraine, noting that Bulgaria would continue to assist in other areas.

He drew a distinction between direct military aid — such as weapons, ammunition and training — and “military-technical” support, including maintenance, logistics, spare parts and education.

Radev added that Bulgaria also faces fiscal constraints, citing the European Commission’s excessive deficit procedure, which limits the scope for additional financial assistance.

“I believe that our country has reached the threshold of its capabilities to provide bilateral military or financial support to Ukraine beyond what has already been agreed,” he said.

Despite the halt in army donations, Radev said Bulgaria remains committed to Ukraine and supports efforts toward “a lasting and just peace” based on international law and the United Nations Charter.

He called for a stronger diplomatic role for the European Union in efforts to end the war, saying diplomacy remains underused and that the bloc should help shape the future security framework in Europe.

His position comes amid broader debate over Bulgaria’s foreign policy direction after he recently suggested Sofia could block parts of the EU’s proposed new sanctions package against Russia, particularly measures targeting Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.

The comments revived concerns among critics that Radev could steer Bulgaria toward a more obstructionist stance within the EU, similar to Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. However, analysts say Bulgaria’s position is more nuanced.

Unlike Hungary, Bulgaria has not blocked previous sanctions packages against Russia or opposed the opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine, and officials insist the government supports sanctions measures with tangible economic impact on Moscow.

Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has described the proposed EU sanctions against Kirill as largely symbolic and said Bulgaria favours steps that directly weaken Russia’s war effort.

Radev has also questioned the effectiveness of targeting religious figures and argued that such measures risk blurring the line between politics and religion, while pointing to historical and cultural ties between Bulgaria and Russia.

The stance has drawn criticism from the opposition, which accuses Radev of softening Bulgaria’s position on Russia.

Former finance minister Assen Vassilev said Patriarch Kirill should not be treated primarily as a religious leader, describing him as closely tied to the Russian state and arguing that sanctions are justified.

Former foreign minister Daniel Mitov also criticised the government’s position, saying support for Kirill has “nothing to do with religion” and accusing him of using the church to justify Russia’s war in Ukraine.