Withdrawal of one country from the Coalition of the Willing announced

Radev said he personally received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to join the coalition, but believes that Bulgaria does not belong in a format advocating continued military support for Kyiv, the Novinite portal reported.

"We are not participating in a coalition that insists on continued financial and military assistance to Ukraine. We do not provide such assistance because I believe that the solution to this conflict does not lie in prolonging it through military means, but in a strong diplomatic mission aimed at ending the escalation," Radev said, according to BTA.

Asked whether there were other heads of state and government at the official dinner in Paris last night who were not part of the Coalition of the Willing, Radev replied that everyone had been invited to participate.

According to him, these issues are addressed within the framework of the European Union and NATO, "where Bulgaria has its own weight and an active presence."

Bulgarian Guards participate in military parade in Paris

The Bulgarian prime minister is in Paris at Macron’s invitation for the Bastille Day celebrations, in which members of the Bulgarian Guard also took part.

He said their participation represents confirmation of the strong relations between Bulgaria and France.

Regarding Bulgaria’s participation in the military parade marking France’s national holiday, the prime minister thanked President Macron for the invitation and described the event as a true symbol of humanity’s eternal pursuit of freedom and democracy.

"The participation of Bulgarian guards in this parade is already becoming a tradition. They have their rightful place there as a sign of the exceptionally good relations between Bulgaria and France in many areas in which our countries successfully cooperate," Radev said.

Referring to the European Union’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia, he said Bulgaria had managed to secure the removal of one person from the sanctions list due to, as he stated, issues related to the safe operation of the Sofia metro.

The Coalition of the Willing, initiated by France and the United Kingdom with the support of more than 30 countries, is aimed at strengthening long-term support for Ukraine through military assistance, training, ammunition production, and security arrangements.

Radev has repeatedly stated that Bulgaria will not prevent other countries from supporting Ukraine, but that it will not participate itself in such military initiatives, instead advocating for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.