British News Agency

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that Bulgaria continues to firmly defend its national interests in his assessment of the European Union's (EU) 21st sanctions package against Russia and Belarus.

Radev stated, "Bulgaria is now defending its own voice for a stronger Europe made up of stronger member states," adding that new sanctions should be designed in a way that does not primarily harm the countries implementing them.

Confirming that he had received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to join the "Coalition of the Willing," Radev said that Bulgaria would not take part in the group, which supports financial and military assistance to Ukraine.

Addressing budget discussions, Radev also noted that the government is working to reduce the high budget deficit inherited from previous administrations to an acceptable level this year and lower it even further by 2027.