Bulgaria refuses to fund lethal weapons for Ukraine via European Peace Facility

Change in financial support strategy

The Bulgarian cabinet officially announced a change in its approach to financing aid for Ukraine. The country is withdrawing from further investments in lethal weapons through the European Peace Facility (EPF) mechanism. Instead, Sofia will focus its resources exclusively on non-lethal forms of support.

As noted by the government, Bulgarian funds should also be directed primarily to regions where the ethnic Bulgarian population resides.

Justification of decisions

The authorities explain this decision by the state's strategic interest. The main goals cited are the cessation of hostilities near Bulgaria's borders, as well as supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, the government opposes a prolonged military confrontation.

«Зосередження виключно на невійськовій допомозі надсилає міжнародній спільноті чіткий сигнал: Болгарія підтримує суверенітет і територіальну цілісність України, проте відкидає логіку нескінченного військового протистояння та шукає шляхи для відкриття дипломатичних каналів для переговорів» (Focusing exclusively on non-military aid sends a clear signal to the international community: Bulgaria supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but rejects the logic of endless military confrontation and seeks ways to open diplomatic channels for negotiations), the government emphasised.

Financial indicators and past experience

Bulgaria's current contribution to the European Peace Facility reaches over 9 million euros. However, the specific share of these funds designated for the purchase of weapons for Kyiv was not previously broken out separately.

As early as February this year, based on a decision by the previous government led by Rosen Zhelyazkov, Bulgaria had already transferred over 6 million euros to Ukraine through this instrument. Following the transfer of military equipment, Sofia received a reimbursement of over 3 million euros.

Context of the facility's operation

The European Peace Facility has been operational since 2021, and its total budget exceeds 17 billion euros. In September of the current year, the European Union decided to allocate over 6 billion euros to finance the purchase of weapons for Ukraine.