Prime Minister Radev rejects NATO return to pre-1997 borders

Prime Minister Rumen Radev described a NATO withdrawal to its pre-1997 borders as unthinkable and unrealistic. Euronews Bulgaria and OFFNews covered his statement on 12 November 2026 in Dublin, where he was attending the European Political Community meeting.

Radev rejects Russian demands on NATO

“This is an unthinkable, unrealistic position. It is not open to discussion,” Radev said of the Russian demands, as quoted by OFFNews. The prime minister insisted that choosing alliances must remain the sovereign right of every country, without external pressure to change that choice. He said a different framework was needed for security guarantees.

The position has direct implications for Bulgaria because it defends the country's right to retain its chosen alliances. In Flank's assessment, Radev is drawing a line between negotiating peace in Ukraine and decisions on other countries' membership. At the same time, he is open to discussing Russian interests in the negotiating process.

Radev calls for Europe to take part in negotiations

Talks involving only the United States and Russia are not enough to resolve issues concerning long-term European security, the prime minister said. He called for European countries to participate in negotiations to end the war and in shaping the continent's future security order.

According to Radev, alongside protecting Ukrainian interests, Russia also needs to be confident that its interests are guaranteed. Radev linked the prospect of lasting peace to taking account of the interests of both Ukraine and Russia, Euronews Bulgaria reported.

In the statement reported by OFFNews, he proposed that Europe appoint a representative for the negotiations. This is a proposal by the Bulgarian prime minister, not an announced common European mandate.

Membership and military presence are separate issues

The wording about returning to “pre-1997 borders” should not automatically be equated with Bulgaria leaving NATO. A change in membership and restrictions on the deployment of allied forces are different measures with different consequences for defence.

Radev's statement defends the sovereign right to choose alliances. In itself, it is not a NATO decision and does not mean a change in the deployment or readiness of allied forces.