A day after Prime Minister Rumen Radev declared that Bulgaria was not part of the “Coalition of the Willing,” Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova signed the Kyiv Declaration, which recognizes the coalition’s role in supporting Ukraine and expresses Bulgaria’s readiness to strengthen its participation in its activities.
Petrova attended the Fifth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv, where she joined European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other regional leaders. Before the summit, participants laid flowers in honor of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. During the meeting, Petrova signed the joint declaration on Bulgaria’s behalf.
The document commits its signatories to continuing political, military, financial and security assistance to Ukraine, increasing pressure on Russia, and contributing to the country’s reconstruction after the war.
One of the declaration’s key provisions, contained in Point 7, acknowledges the “Coalition of the Willing” as an effective mechanism for supporting Ukraine and providing reliable security guarantees. It also states that the participating countries are prepared to strengthen their involvement in the coalition’s work.
The move appeared to contradict remarks made by Rumen Radev only a day earlier during a visit to Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I believe that Bulgaria’s place is not there, because we do not participate in a coalition that insists on continued financial and military assistance to Ukraine,” Radev said, adding that he believed the conflict should be resolved through “a strong diplomatic initiative” rather than continued military support.
The declaration strongly condemns what it describes as Russia’s “illegal, unprovoked and unjustified armed aggression against Ukraine” and calls on Moscow to immediately end the war. It urges Russia to completely, unconditionally and verifiably withdraw all troops and military equipment from Ukrainian territory, return all illegally deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian citizens, including children, and release detained civilians and prisoners of war.
The signatories also condemn any political, military, financial or technical support provided by third countries to Russia’s military campaign.
The document reaffirms support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters. It also states that lasting peace, security and prosperity in Europe cannot be achieved without a sovereign and independent Ukraine.
The declaration emphasizes that strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses remains a priority, specifically through the delivery of air defense systems and interceptors capable of countering ballistic missiles. It also calls for tighter sanctions against Russia and its military economy.
The participating countries further pledged to assist in Ukraine’s reconstruction, humanitarian demining, environmental recovery and the rebuilding of communities affected by the war. They also committed to expanding cooperation against cyber threats, foreign information manipulation, disinformation campaigns and other activities aimed at undermining democratic institutions, regional stability and European integration.
“Ukraine’s security is our security,” the declaration states.
The document also reiterates support for Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and its irreversible path toward NATO membership once allies reach consensus and the necessary conditions are met.
The declaration builds on previous Ukraine-Southeast Europe summits held in Athens, Tirana, Dubrovnik and Odesa, describing the format as an important platform for political dialogue, regional cooperation and shared security. Holding this year’s meeting in Kyiv on Ukrainian Statehood Day was described as symbolic, highlighting more than a thousand years of Ukrainian statehood.
Bulgaria joined Albania, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Montenegro in signing the declaration. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended the summit but was the only participating leader who did not sign the document or join the tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
The declaration states that the next Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit will be hosted by Slovenia in 2027.