Rumen

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev underscored the importance of the newly convened parliament during a joint press conference with Montenegro's President, Jakov Milatovic. Radev highlighted that in a parliamentary system, the effective functioning of parliament is paramount, emphasizing his decision to convene it promptly.

President Rumen Radev emphasized the need for initial military training for Bulgaria's youth during his participation in the Fourth National Assembly of the Reserve Army in Stara Zagora. He noted that NATO allies are reinstating conscription, sparking the need for a national debate on this issue.

On Monday, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev will announce the date for convening the first session of the 50th National Assembly. He made this statement to journalists in Kazanlak.

Regarding GERB leader Boyko Borissov's proposal for an expert cabinet, Radev commented:

President Rumen Radev stated that Bulgaria would not be obliged to send military aid to Ukraine, highlighting his insistence on altering the joint statement at the B9 summit in Riga. The revised statement allows each B9 country to decide independently whether to provide military, financial, or humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

The presidents of NATO's Eastern flank nations convened in Riga for a summit aimed at addressing regional security concerns and Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, the gathering of the so-called "Bucharest Nine" - B9 - concluded without a unified declaration for the first time, as Bulgarian President Rumen Radev disclosed.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev extended his congratulations to Claudia Sheinbaum on her recent election as President of the United Mexican States.

Bulgarian voters head to the polling stations on Sunday for the sixth snap parliamentary election in three years, but analysts see little chance of it producing a stable coalition that can put an end to a prolonged period of political instability.

Bulgaria is the primary force behind the European integration of the Western Balkan countries, recognizing the importance of this integration for the region's security, stability, and sustainable economic development. President Rumen Radev emphasized the need for the integration process to be based on individual merits to ensure its sustainability and irreversibility.

Vice President Iliyana Yotova expressed reservations about supporting the declaration adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO in Sofia. The document calls for Ukraine to be permitted to use supplied weapons to target military sites inside Russia. Yotova highlighted that many European voices disagree with the decision made in Sofia.

President Rumen Radev, while visiting Switzerland, expressed concerns about the declarations stating Bulgaria will not send troops to Ukraine, saying they mean nothing if another NATO country provokes a direct confrontation with Russia. He emphasized that there is a noticeable escalation in both rhetoric and actions.