Bulgaria is pulling out of the Western-backed "Coalition of the Willing" supporting Ukraine, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told Btv on July 14, in the latest sign of Sofia's shift away from the European Union's mainstream policy towards Russia.

Speaking in Paris ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations, Radev said he had personally received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to attend this week's Coalition of the Willing summit but confirmed Bulgaria would no longer participate in the initiative.

"I don't believe Bulgaria's place is in the Coalition of the Willing," Radev told Bulgarian broadcaster bTV. "We're not part of a coalition pushing for continued financial and military aid to Ukraine. We don't provide aid of that kind because I believe the solution to this conflict lies in a strong diplomatic effort to end the escalation rather than prolonging it through military means."

The Coalition of the Willing, led by France and Britain, brings together more than 30 countries coordinating military support and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Around 25 heads of state and government attended a summit in Paris on July 13.

Radev said Bulgaria would instead continue to pursue its security commitments through NATO and the European Union, arguing that decisions on collective defence were made within those organisations rather than in ad hoc coalitions.

The withdrawal follows a series of policy moves by Bulgaria's government since taking office after April elections that have distanced Sofia from the EU's prevailing stance on the war in Ukraine. Last month, the government halted deliveries of weapons from state military stockpiles to Kyiv, saying Bulgaria had already provided sufficient assistance and should prioritise domestic security and economic stability.

Radev has long argued there is no military solution to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, opposed Western arms deliveries and called for a negotiated settlement. His position has previously put him at odds with Kyiv, including during a public exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in 2023 over military aid.

The government has also adopted a more assertive approach within the EU over sanctions against Russia. Last month, Bulgaria threatened to veto the bloc's 21st sanctions package unless several individuals were removed from the blacklist, before dropping its objections after one of the disputed names was removed. Sofia opposed the proposed inclusion of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Russian businessman Vagit Alekperov.

"When we impose a 21st sanctions package, we have to ask why we've reached this point, and what became of the previous 20," Radev said. "These sanctions need to be designed so that, above all, they don't end up hurting the countries imposing them."

The moves have drawn comparisons with former Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, who repeatedly challenged aspects of the EU's approach to Russia and Ukraine, complicating efforts to maintain unity within the bloc.