Bulgaria Unlikely to Become Putin’s Proxy in EU Under New PM Radev

Following his appointment as Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister in May 2026, former President Rumen Radev is unlikely to replace Viktor Orban as Vladimir Putin’s primary proxy within the European Union and NATO. Although Radev has advocated for a cautious approach toward Moscow and opposed military aid to Ukraine, analysts argue these views stem from pragmatic domestic politics rather than ideological alignment with Kremlin interests. Radev’s rise follows years of political instability in Bulgaria, culminating in his Progressive Bulgaria party securing the first outright parliamentary majority since 1997. His appeal lies in his outsider status, military background, and promise of stability amid public frustration with corruption and traditional parties. Unlike Orban’s illiberal stance, Radev’s position reflects Bulgaria’s complex internal dynamics and institutional exhaustion. The article concludes that while Radev criticizes certain EU sanctions, his history with NATO integration and lack of firm commitment to illiberalism make him an improbable successor to Orban’s role as a Russian influencer within Western alliances.