Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

President Radev: I’m not in a rush to join the fanfare surrounding rearmament

Bulgaria's president Rumen Radev.
Photo: BGNES

In light of the EU's recently announced plan to rearm Europe, President Rumen Radev told journalists that he had always advocated a more responsible approach to security, both by Europe and by Bulgaria. 

"The modernisation of the Bulgarian Army and the strengthening of the defence industry should be a top, constant and conscious commitment of every government, instead of waiting for instructions from Brussels," the president stressed. He noted that during the last summit in Brussels, much was said about rearmament, but almost nothing about ending the war in Ukraine, a war that is dragging Europe down.
"I am in no hurry to join the fanfare surrounding the EU's rearmament plan. There's a whirlwind of enthusiasm, and many think there will be 800 billion for investment in defence and the defence industry. But let's be clear - such funds do not exist. There will be loans and the possibility of renouncing structural and cohesion funds, which means that you'll give up water supply projects, infrastructure, environment and social projects, and redirect these funds to the defence industry," the head of state said.

Rumen Radev expressed his expectation that the Bulgarian government would take a responsible and critical approach to the country's commitments on this issue.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Cloudy and rainy Sunday with thunder in some parts

During the night there will be rain in many parts. In Eastern Bulgaria and in the Northwest the rain will be temporarily intensive, and there will be thunder. Minimum temperatures 7° C. - 12° C., for Sofia around 8° C. On Sunday the weather..

published on 4/26/25 6:05 PM
The Bulgarian delegation at the Vatican

Father Ivan Ivanov: Pope Francis advocated for religions to "speak the same language"

After the end of Pope Francis’ funeral ceremony at the Vatican, which was attended by leaders from all over the world, Bulgarian PM Rosen Zhelyazkov noted that Pope Francis had preached peace, justice, equality and fraternity among people. “He..

published on 4/26/25 4:40 PM

Bulgarian children who received first communion from the Pope honour his memory

Young Catholics from all over the country met at the Saint Francis of Assisi church in the village of Belozem, Rakovski municipality, to join, online, the journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to his celestial home. Some of the children who received..

published on 4/26/25 2:07 PM