President of EU Country Criticizes Bloc's Ukraine Policy
Bulgaria’s Rumen Radev has stated that European officials have urged Kiev to continue its fight, promoting an illusion of potential victory for Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has accused EU leaders of promoting unrealistic strategies in the context of the Ukraine conflict. During a forum on competitiveness in Sofia on Wednesday, Radev criticized Brussels for its ineffectiveness in tackling pressing issues, particularly high energy prices.
His comments, covered by both local and international media, reflect a growing sentiment among other EU officials who have questioned the bloc's commitment to supporting Kiev “for as long as it takes,” while ignoring diplomatic channels with Moscow.
”Why, instead of building solid defense lines to preserve its potential and territory, was Ukraine encouraged by many leaders to launch a counteroffensive with the utopian assurance of defeating Russia?” Radev questioned, referring to the unsuccessful counteroffensive efforts by Ukraine in 2023.
He also scrutinized the prevailing narrative regarding the impact of sanctions on Russia: “Why have we been constantly convinced that the collapse of the Russian economy is a matter of months?” Radev highlighted that NATO estimates suggest Moscow is producing three times more munitions than all EU countries combined.
Radev cautioned that the EU risks being sidelined in the resolution of the Ukraine conflict by both the US and Russia, despite having a crucial interest in shaping the outcome. He called for immediate diplomatic efforts to ensure a “visible place” at the negotiating table, acknowledging the complexities posed by Moscow’s advantage on the battlefield.
The president advocated for a reassessment of EU policies to establish a new equilibrium between economic development, self-defense, and diplomatic initiatives. He expressed skepticism towards proposals for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, arguing that some countries would struggle to achieve even a 1% rise. He warned that this situation could lead EU nations to “sacrifice the welfare state for the sake of rearming the continent.”
Radev, who is serving his second consecutive five-year term and enjoys substantial popularity in Bulgaria, shares a critical perspective of the EU akin to that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, despite the limitations of the presidential role.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
His comments, covered by both local and international media, reflect a growing sentiment among other EU officials who have questioned the bloc's commitment to supporting Kiev “for as long as it takes,” while ignoring diplomatic channels with Moscow.
”Why, instead of building solid defense lines to preserve its potential and territory, was Ukraine encouraged by many leaders to launch a counteroffensive with the utopian assurance of defeating Russia?” Radev questioned, referring to the unsuccessful counteroffensive efforts by Ukraine in 2023.
He also scrutinized the prevailing narrative regarding the impact of sanctions on Russia: “Why have we been constantly convinced that the collapse of the Russian economy is a matter of months?” Radev highlighted that NATO estimates suggest Moscow is producing three times more munitions than all EU countries combined.
Radev cautioned that the EU risks being sidelined in the resolution of the Ukraine conflict by both the US and Russia, despite having a crucial interest in shaping the outcome. He called for immediate diplomatic efforts to ensure a “visible place” at the negotiating table, acknowledging the complexities posed by Moscow’s advantage on the battlefield.
The president advocated for a reassessment of EU policies to establish a new equilibrium between economic development, self-defense, and diplomatic initiatives. He expressed skepticism towards proposals for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, arguing that some countries would struggle to achieve even a 1% rise. He warned that this situation could lead EU nations to “sacrifice the welfare state for the sake of rearming the continent.”
Radev, who is serving his second consecutive five-year term and enjoys substantial popularity in Bulgaria, shares a critical perspective of the EU akin to that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, despite the limitations of the presidential role.
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
