"The Ukraine issue is being used by the government as a "lifebelt" to divert peoples' attention from the lack of vision, agenda and real action in response to the problems facing the country", Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev told journalists. President Radev was asked to comment on the protest planned for July 19 in Sofia over his position on the war in Ukraine. “There are many protests – protests against the war, social protests, protests against the budget. Bulgaria is a democratic country and everyone has the right to protest”, said Rumen Radev.

GERB MP Daniel Mitov, who commented on the head of state's criticism of the government's policy towards Ukraine, called Rumen Radev “one of the people who divide society and even radicalize public opinion”.