Is Bulgaria Turning Towards Russia_

Bulgaria’s ties with Russia are once more under the spotlight since the start of the Ukraine war, raising questions about European unity and NATO solidarity. With Hungary and Slovakia already edging closer to Moscow, some fear Bulgaria could follow. Shared history, lingering pro-Russian sentiment, and growing dissatisfaction with EU integration are fuelling concerns about a potential shift in Sofia’s foreign policy. At the same time, the rise of the far-right Revival party, opposition to the euro, and nostalgia for the Soviet era add to speculation that Bulgaria could tilt away from Brussels and Washington. On the other hand, Bulgaria has also deepened cooperation with the West, providing military aid to Ukraine, expelling Russian diplomats, and moving to end reliance on Russian energy.

In this video, we analyse why Bulgaria’s ties to Russia are anything but straightforward, exploring the past, present, and future of Sofia-Moscow relations. Over the past 150 years, Russia has been seen by Bulgaria as both liberator and occupier, ally and adversary. Today, while President Rumen Radev and some political forces lean pro-Russian, public opinion is far more divided, with strong support for NATO and the EU among younger generations. What emerges, therefore, is a pendulum of Bulgarian foreign policy, shaped by history, energy politics, and domestic divides. Ultimately, the question remains: is Sofia really turning towards Moscow, or is this just another swing in a long cycle of shifting allegiances?

*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:51 History in International Relations: Bulgaria and Russia
01:53 Bulgaria: Location and Population
02:29 The Emergence of Bulgaria
04:52 Bulgaria: The Cold War and Western Integration
06:29 Bulgaria, Russia, and the Ukraine War
07:21 The Rise of Pro-Russian Sentiment in Bulgaria
09:17 Is Bulgaria Turning Towards Russia?
11:47 The Cyclical Nature of Bulgaria-Russia Relations

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