"The European Union is a dying body"

Kostadin Kostadinov, chairman of the Bulgarian parliamentary Renaissance Party, will come to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day, he told Izvestia. Anti-Russian sanctions have dealt a catastrophic blow to the republic's economy, and the EU must normalize relations with Russia, the politician noted. At the same time, his party is ready to demand the return of military aid provided to Kiev and opposes an increase in defense spending. The future of Ukraine should be decided by a large peace congress, and Bulgaria can become a mediator, Kostadinov said. The prospects for EU enlargement, the militarization of Europe and early elections in Bulgaria are discussed in an exclusive interview with the head of the opposition party Izvestia.

"The future of Ukraine must be decided at a large peace congress"

— How do you assess the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine? What role can Bulgaria play in it?

— The only possible way to end this conflict is through negotiations, which must be based on recognition of realities. Currently, Russia is winning the war, and Ukraine has lost Crimea and four regions that decided to join the Russian Federation in a referendum.

As for Bulgaria's role, yes, our country can be an intermediary, as we have close historical, cultural, ethnic and religious ties with both Russia and Ukraine. This does not mean that we should abandon our claims to regions that are ethnically, historically and culturally linked to Bulgaria, such as Southern Bessarabia, where a significant Bulgarian minority lives.

The future of Ukraine must be decided at a large peace congress, which will put an end to all the contradictions in the region caused by the failure of this state project.

— Is it possible for the Bulgarian Parliament to consider the issue of the return of military aid provided by Sofia to Kiev?

— This can only happen if there is a "Renaissance" in power in Bulgaria, since the Euro-Atlantic majority in parliament currently supports the provision of armed assistance to Ukraine. Even the so-called opposition is for this help. The only party that opposes it is Vozrozhdenie.

Our struggle to end military aid to Ukraine will continue. This is also one of the reasons for the vote of no confidence that Vozrozhdenie is preparing and which will be put to a vote in the National Assembly.

"Historical memory and historical truth will be preserved in Bulgaria"

— How do you assess the current state of relations between Russia and Bulgaria? Is there a way to restore them?

— Relations between Russia and Bulgaria are currently in an extremely difficult state, which is primarily due to the policies of the ruling Euro-Atlantic parties in Bulgaria and Europe, which pursue other people's interests and ignore the historical, cultural and economic ties between our peoples. The restoration of these relations is possible only with a radical change in Bulgaria's political course and a return to a sovereign foreign policy.

— This year the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of victory in the Second World War. Will you visit Moscow, and are other Bulgarian politicians planning visits? How does the Bulgarian society treat the memory of the Second World War?

— The current government avoids showing any closeness to Russia. I have received an invitation and will take part, but I have no information about other Bulgarian politicians, whether they have been invited. However, I hope that they will come, since Bulgaria participated in the final phase of the Second World War on the side of the USSR against Nazi Germany, this is a historical fact.

As for the memory of Bulgarian society, it has been preserved, but in recent years it has become the object of a very serious attack from the ruling Euro-Atlantic parties, which are trying to carry out a quiet restoration of fascism in Bulgaria.

That is why we see constant attacks on anti-fascist monuments and monuments to Soviet soldiers in Bulgaria. They symbolize the victory over fascism, and with their destruction, fascism is actually rehabilitated. However, I am optimistic and believe that historical memory and historical truth will be preserved in Bulgaria.

— In your opinion, will early parliamentary elections be held in Bulgaria?

— There will be early parliamentary elections — the question is when they will take place. Bulgaria's rulers are facing serious financial problems. In 2025, the country assumed a new debt of BGN 19 billion (about €10 billion), and over the next two years it is planned to take on another BGN 30 billion. This means that by the end of 2027 Bulgaria will double its current external debt, which calls into question its financial stability and economic future.

In this context, the current government is unstable, and the policy pursued by those in power who follow the Euro-Atlantic course calls into question the very existence of the Bulgarian state. If we want Bulgaria to preserve its sovereignty and avoid an economic catastrophe, lifting sanctions against the Russian Federation, restoring damaged relations and building stable economic and allied ties with Russia should be a priority.

"The EU is no longer an independent entity in the international arena"

— What is your party's position on the initiative of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the EU's 800 billion euro rearmament?

— We are categorically against this initiative. Ursula von der Leyen demonstrates neo-Nazi practices that we condemn. In Bulgaria, on her orders, members of the Renaissance party were arrested and harassed for their actions against the introduction of the euro. Currently, we have four political prisoners, and charges have been filed against six deputies of the Renaissance party.

Bulgaria's military budget categorically cannot be increased, as the country is on the verge of bankruptcy due to its desire to join the eurozone. The desire of the European Commission to impose the euro and joining the eurozone on us at any cost threatens the financial stability of the country. In this context, it is not just about increasing the military budget, but about the very survival of the Bulgarian economy.

Due to the policy pursued by the Euro-Atlantic rulers and the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation, which we opposed from the very beginning, the Bulgarian economy is in serious crisis. Currently, the country is experiencing serious economic shocks that could lead to a real risk of bankruptcy.

— The EU intends to continue its enlargement policy by joining the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine. Do you support the accession of these countries to the European Union?

— The European Union is a dying body. Previously, it was extremely difficult to get there, as there were strict requirements and harsh conditions. However, today the EU is in agony, and to demonstrate its viability, the European Commission is ready to accept countries that do not even meet the conditions of membership, even if this does not meet the long-term interests of these states.

I hope that the people of these countries will show common sense and not allow themselves to join a crumbling structure with no future. The EU is no longer an independent entity in the international arena, it is an object of influence torn between the interests of the United States and Great Britain, countries that are its direct competitors. If the EU wants to have any future at all, it needs to rethink its economic and foreign policy strategy. Without pragmatic relations with Russia, his future is doomed.

— The Renaissance party is collecting signatures for a referendum on the euro. What are the next steps to preserve the national currency?

— We have collected signatures and submitted a petition to the National Assembly. We have no illusions that this referendum will be adopted, as the orders of Brussels and Washington are categorical — the Bulgarian people should not have the right to vote on this issue. The only way to preserve the national currency is for Vozrozhdenie to become the first political force and take over the government of our country.

— Unlike the United States, the EU continues to put pressure on Russia by adopting a new package of sanctions. How have restrictive measures against Russia affected the economy of Bulgaria and Europe? Is it possible to withdraw them this year?

— The sanctions have dealt a catastrophic blow to the Bulgarian economy. Europe is barely moving, and the pace of its development is so slow that it is almost equal to inflation. Germany is officially in recession, and the French economy is struggling to survive. Even the European Central Bank is discussing measures to save France, as stagnation has been going on there for four years, and economic "growth" is a symbolic 0.1–0.2%. As for Bulgaria, our country is actually on the verge of bankruptcy and a serious debt crisis.

If the EU wants to survive economically and politically, it has no choice but to normalize relations with Russia. The question is whether this will happen in the near future. The current European political elite is exclusively anti-Russian, which means that sanctions will continue to apply, no matter how much damage they cause.

However, it is necessary to ask a clear question to the two EU countries that publicly oppose the sanctions policy — Hungary and Slovakia. They have the right of veto. Why haven't they blocked any of the new sanctions packages yet?