Does Bulgaria still help Ukraine? Weapons, the Coalition of the Willing and EU sanctions in 2026

Bulgaria no longer gives Ukraine weapons from its own army stocks. The government of Prime Minister Rumen Radev ended those deliveries on 10 June 2026, after 13 aid packages since 2022. Commercial arms sales by Bulgarian companies are expected to continue, Euronews and BNT reported, and Bulgaria did not veto the EU’s 21st sanctions package on Russia.

As of 26 October 2026. Varna Pulse does not take sides; each position below is attributed to its source.

What did Bulgaria send to Ukraine from 2022 to 2026?

Bulgaria approved 13 military aid packages from army surplus, the last on 12 February 2026, Novinite reported. The lists are classified. Items made public include armoured vehicles, portable anti-aircraft missiles and Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, plus helmets, body armour and winter clothing. According to Novinite, the Defence Ministry said in early 2025 that Bulgaria had received more than €200 million from the US and the EU as compensation.

Why did Bulgaria stop sending weapons from army stocks?

Radev confirmed the decision on 10 June. “We have already given enough, while our country continues to suffer socio-economic damage from this bloody war,” he said, according to Euronews. Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said: “Ukraine needs more people, not more weapons.”

Georg Georgiev of the opposition GERB called it “a significant violation of solidarity”. Ivailo Mirchev of Democratic Bulgaria called the messages contradictory and said: “What is produced by the Bulgarian industry is paid for by the Ukrainian side.” Nikolai Denkov of We Continue the Change also criticised the decision, Sofia Globe reported.

Does Bulgaria still sell ammunition to Ukraine?

Yes, according to media reports. Euronews reported that the defence industry will remain a major ammunition supplier to Kyiv, and BNT reported that the decision is not expected to affect commercial production and sales by the defence industry.

What is the 10-year security agreement with Ukraine?

Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov signed it in Kyiv on 30 March 2026. It covers defence-sector cooperation and reaffirms Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine’s path to the EU and NATO, Novinite reported. Radev, then in opposition, said a caretaker cabinet should not make strategic foreign-policy decisions, Novinite reported. On 1 July parliament rejected a Vazrazhdane bill to end the agreement by 10 votes to 160, with 14 abstentions, BTA reported. Gyurov is now a candidate in the presidential runoff on 1 November.

Did Bulgaria leave the Coalition of the Willing?

On 14 July Radev said: “We do not participate in a coalition that insists on continuing financial and military aid to Ukraine.” On 15 July Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova signed the Kyiv Declaration, which calls the coalition “an effective mechanism for supporting Ukraine”. Petar Vitanov of the ruling Progressive Bulgaria said the text “has no binding character”, Sofia Globe reported.

Did Bulgaria block EU sanctions on Russia?

No. The timeline:

• 18 June: Radev threatened a veto if Patriarch Kirill stayed on the list.
• 3 July: he cited the “stable and reliable operation” of the Lukoil refinery in Burgas, BTA reported (see our Burgas refinery report).
• 9 July: the cabinet said listing Kirill “would not have an economic and financial effect for Russia” and objected to Vagit Alekperov and to rules on Sofia metro parts.
• 23 July: political agreement and formal adoption by the Council. Kirill, Alekperov and Iskander Makhmudov were left out; Bulgaria was one of seven countries with objections.

What is constructive abstention?

On 21 October Bulgaria abstained on new lethal aid under the European Peace Facility without blocking it. The government said its share will go “solely for measures related to non-lethal assistance to Ukraine”, Sofia Globe reported.

What it means for Varna

These decisions are taken in Sofia and Brussels and do not change daily life, travel or residence rules in Varna. Security along the coast is covered in our report on the Black Sea security hub in Varna.