After President Radev's refusal, caretaker PM Glavchev will lead the Bulgarian delegation to the NATO summit in Washington in July

Head of State Rumen Radev did not accept the proposal of the Council of Ministers to lead the Bulgarian delegation at the NATO summit in Washington.

"There is a position, which position was worked out in the Council of Ministers, adopted by the Council of Ministers and only after it was adopted it was brought to my knowledge," said Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Later in a statement on June 27, the Presidency added that:

"The Head of State has always insisted and worked for the modernisation of the Armed Forces, the enhancement of our defence capacity, and for the strengthening of Bulgaria's contribution to the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank. The Head of State has strongly condemned Russian aggression since the first day of the war in Ukraine. However, Rumen Radev does not accept certain aspects of the positions adopted by the cabinet, which refer to our country's commitments regarding the war in Ukraine, which is the reason why Radev refused to lead the Bulgarian delegation."

The Ministry of Defence commented that the Bulgarian position does not undermine the national interests and does not threaten Bulgaria’s national security.

Deputy Minister of Defence, Radostin Iliev, said the country's position is fully aligned with that of the Alliance. He said that the support Bulgaria has provided to Ukraine amid the war is fully in line with the decision of the Parliament. In this sense, it is firm and will continue as long as necessary, Iliev added.

Thus, the Bulgarian delegation at the NATO Summit will be led by the caretaker Prime Minister. From Brussels, Dimitar Glavchev said he did not understand what had embarrassed the President given the routine position.

"Considering that we are talking about the head of State, the Commander-in-chief and a NATO general, I said that it makes sense for President Radev to head the delegation. I have no idea what embarrassed, frightened and worried him. As far as the position is concerned, it is absolutely in line with all the decisions of the Parliament and I guarantee you that we will not deviate from the decisions of the Parliament. I have no idea what worried President Radev, you should ask him," Glavchev said.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) chairman Delyan Peevski also commented, accusing the President of consistently and demonstratively trying to divert Bulgaria from its commitments and destabilise it by pushing Russian influence and propaganda at this critical time for the security of Europe and the world.