Why the Buck Stops with Bulgaria When It Comes to Russian Interference in the Balkans

By Kiril Petkov

Kiril Petkov served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from November 2021 to August 2022. He currently is the Co-Chairman of the party We Continue the Change.

OPINION — Bulgaria, a European nation often overlooked in discussions about Western values, is poised to become a crucial player in the geopolitical landscape. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, energy politics, and domestic instability have thrust Bulgaria into the spotlight. As Bulgarian voters prepare for their seventh election in three years, the stakes have never been higher.

In recent years, Bulgaria has undergone a dramatic transformation, primarily due to the principled reforms implemented by my government beginning in autumn 2021. Our team prioritized combating corruption, raising living standards, and pursuing a pro-American foreign policy. These changes, while necessary, were not universally welcomed.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many expected Bulgaria to remain neutral, given its historically close ties with Moscow. They were mistaken. We immediately welcomed over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, proposed initial financial sanctions to our European Union partners (the “Sofia Proposal”), expelled 70 Russians for espionage, and began supplying arms and energy to Ukraine as part of our commitment to NATO. In the war’s early weeks, Bulgaria provided nearly 40% of all ammunition used to repel the Russian army. We diversified our natural gas dependence from 95% to 0% in less than two months, refusing to comply with Russia’s demand for payment in rubles. For a nation that once voluntarily offered to become a Soviet republic, these actions surprised many, especially Moscow.

For too long, Bulgarian leaders played a duplicitous game, espousing Western ideals in Washington while perpetuating Eastern-style corruption at home. Moscow was both the primary benefactor and beneficiary of this corruption, which resulted in decades of ineffective governance, weakened national institutions, and diminished living standards for Bulgarians.

In the current geopolitical climate, Bulgaria is uniquely positioned as a key Western ally. As a NATO member, Bulgaria is secure from external threats. It has entered the Schengen zone, allowing visa-free travel throughout the European Union, and is in the process of adopting the Euro as its national currency. Despite these positive developments, Bulgaria faces significant challenges in energy security, resisting foreign subversion, and implementing modern infrastructure.


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Beginning in 2025, Russian energy will no longer transit through Ukraine. Instead, Bulgaria will become the primary entry point for Russian energy into Europe, potentially increasing Russian influence on the Bulgarian economy. To counter this, we partnered with Greece to build an LNG terminal in Alexandropoulos for gas transit into Europe. Having experienced energy extortion by Russia first-hand, we recognize the importance of diversified energy supplies. We have collaborated with our European partners to reduce Bulgaria’s dependence on Russian energy, achieving near-complete diversification.

Bulgaria is also strategically positioned to become the transportation and logistics hub for NATO’s eastern flank. This development will provide viable and safe alternatives to Black Sea shipping, which has become increasingly dangerous due to the war. Consequently, Bulgaria is expected to experience the highest GDP growth in the European Union once this project is initiated. American companies can play a crucial and profitable role in constructing the quality infrastructure necessary for this project’s success.

Despite our strategic position, we face domestic challenges due to foreign influence. Russian disinformation campaigns push false nationalist narratives through social media and Telegram channels. Foreign influence also contributes to domestic political instability, as evidenced by the upcoming seventh election in just three years. My government achieved significant progress during its eight-month tenure. However, the coalition dissolved when a junior partner succumbed to foreign influence and demanded Bulgaria’s return to Russian energy dependence. A stable Bulgarian government for just four years would enable the full implementation of the transportation and logistics hub from Greece through Bulgaria to Romania and Ukraine. The Kremlin actively works to destabilize our governments and create artificial internal divisions, and their efforts have had some success.

In recent years, we have witnessed the effects of Russian malign influence in Hungary, Slovakia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Georgia. Previously Western-oriented countries now mirror Moscow in both domestic and foreign policy, and Bulgaria is next in the crosshairs. Moscow’s heavy investment in some of Bulgaria’s far-right political parties mimics similar moves implemented in Georgia, which derailed that country’s European path. In September, Vazrazhdane, the far-right party, introduced the “foreign agents act” to parliament, encouraged by Boyko Borisov’s GERB party, which had previously passed an anti-LGBT law in August, following the Russian playbook. Our party secured a majority against the foreign agents act, but its mere introduction to parliament was a worrying sign.


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As we defend Western values of freedom, rule of law, and human rights, we face constant attacks attempting to reverse progress and return to tyranny, authoritarianism, and colonialism. With Europe embroiled in its largest land war since World War II, support from our American allies is critical. American leadership within NATO is the guarantor of security on the continent. A partnership between the United States and Bulgaria can strengthen our mutual ties and ensure the promotion and continuation of our shared Western values. Without America’s engagement in Bulgaria, we risk becoming the next victim of subjugation under Moscow’s influence. While American elections are underway, Russia is not wasting time, having strengthened its grip on Eastern Europe. We will not allow this to happen in Bulgaria, but we need to be stronger together.

Bulgaria, with a population of seven million people (equivalent to the U.S. state of Missouri), can be a “buck stops here” partner for America, echoing President Harry Truman’s famous desk sign. However, we cannot do this without America’s continued global leadership. We need your involvement in the Balkans and Europe, your engagement in security, energy, and infrastructure.

Together, let’s continue to change the future, acknowledging that the buck stops with us regarding our responsibilities. Our partnership will benefit both nations. Bulgaria can become a flagship of stability in the Balkans, countering Russian partnership with Serbia. It can serve as a logistics hub linking Ukraine to the Mediterranean, bypassing Russian control of the Black Sea and providing an alternative route for Ukrainian exports. Bulgaria can be the energy diversification point for countries like Austria and Hungary, transitioning them from Russian supply to LNG. It can be a stable partner on NATO’s Eastern Flank, with its defense industry providing continuous support to our Ukrainian partners.

To achieve these goals, the relationship between the United States and Bulgaria must evolve from tactical to strategic. This transformation requires promoting democracy, rule of law, and a government that eradicates corruption entirely, as corruption remains Russia’s primary foreign policy tool in the region and Europe as a whole. The upcoming elections are critical for both Bulgaria and the United States. We must ensure a brighter future for our nations and the democratic world around us.

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