Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Why Bulgarian MEPs voted against the designation of Russia a state sponsor of terrorism

Euriopean Parliament
Photo: BGNES

With an overwhelming majority, MEPs adopted a resolution recognising Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Out of the total of 12 MEPs from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats who voted against the resolution, 5 are Bulgarian MEPs from the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

Here is how Petar Vitanov, chairman of the delegation of Bulgarian socialists motivated his own vote against the resolution, and that of his colleagues: “You can’t have a resolution calling for restricting all diplomatic contacts. That means not seeking a peaceful settlement, negotiations, but further escalation instead. This harsh rhetoric, I think, means giving Putin free rein. Designate him a terrorist, and you are, to all intents and purposes, giving him the freedom to do whatever he likes in Ukraine, without regard for anything.”

Two of the Bulgarian MEPs, Eva Maydell from the European People’s Party and Andrey Slabakov from the European Conservatives and Reformists, did not take part in the vote.

Reporting by BNR’s correspondent in Brussels Anguelina Piskova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The 32nd National Festival of Karakachans takes place near Sliven

The 32nd National Festival of Karakachans is taking place in the "Karandila" area near the city of Sliven on August 23. The event is organized by the Federation of Cultural and Educational Societies of the Karakachans in Bulgaria. The..

published on 8/23/25 6:05 AM

Mostly sunny with short-term rain showers in some places

At night, in places in the central and eastern part of the country there will be short-term showers with thunderstorms. By morning the precipitation will stop. Cloudiness will decrease from the west. On Saturday it will be..

published on 8/22/25 7:05 PM

Marchela-Vasilena Merchant to stage dance show "Samodiva" in London

In the last days of the hottest month - from August 27 to 30, the performance "Samodiva" will be premiered in London. This is an innovative, immersive dance production inspired by Bulgarian folklore myths. It is the work of..

published on 8/22/25 2:50 PM