Bulgaria Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Between NATO Protection and Kremlin Accommodation: Bulgaria’s Radev Doctrine

The Prime minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev stated that he had received an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to join the "Coalition of the Willing," but affirmed that Bulgaria would…

July 15, 2026Bulgaria, NATO, Russia, Ukraine

Geopolitics ideology

Beyond Theology: Patriarch Kirill, Russian Soft Power, and the European Sanctions Debate

Italy has joined Bulgaria in expressing concern over the European Commission's proposal to impose targeted sanctions on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, as part of the…

July 6, 2026Bulgaria, Orthodox church, Russia, Sanctions, Vatican

Democracy Governance

From President to Power Broker: Radev’s Rise and the Risk of Bulgaria’s Pro-Russian Turn

Former Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, known for his pro-Russian stance, is leading the electoral race by leveraging anti-corruption rhetoric. Rumen Radev announced his early resignation from the presidency on January 19,…

April 17, 2026Bulgaria, Russia

Intelligence ops Warfare

From Hybrid Influence to Coercive Presence: Wagner’s Alleged Footprint in Bulgaria and the Escalation of Russian Interference in the EU

In Bulgaria, near the village of Kladnitsa (Pernik Region), a facility linked to the Russian private military company Wagner was discovered. The site was identified by the civic organization BOEC.…

February 11, 2026Bulgaria, Wagner Group

Geopolitics

The French proposal for North Macedonia is opposed with violent protests

The European Union proposal presented by France during the Presidency of the EU, known as the ‘modified French proposal’, has caused riots for several days in the capital of North…

July 8, 2022Bulgaria, North Macedonia

Intelligence ops National Security

Russia is testing NATO air defense system in Central Europe, Baltic region, and the Balkans

After Russia invaded Ukraine, there have been some disturbing aircraft flights over Central and Eastern Europe. Last week in Lithuania a mystery aircraft took off from Lithuania and illegally entered the airspace…

June 13, 2022Air-defense, Bulgaria, GRU, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Russia

Intelligence ops

Russian intelligence focus in Bulgaria

In pursuing their intelligence efforts in Bulgaria, Russian spy agencies rely on HUMINT, using assets recruited during the Soviet period, as well as on the Russian diaspora and families of…

October 12, 2021Bulgaria, GRU, Russia

Geopolitics

Will Bulgaria delay North Macedonia’s EU Path?

After Athens opposed Macedonia's name because it was already used by one of the regions of northern Greece, the two sides reached an agreement in 2018. No one lost and…

November 13, 2020Arbesa Hoxha, Bulgaria, EU, North Macedonia

Intelligence ops

Bulgarian case: Russian intelligence is increasingly making use of trade mission cover to handle operations

Bulgaria has expelled two Russian diplomats whom it accuses of conducting military espionage. This raises to five the number of Russian diplomats who have been expelled from Bulgaria for espionage…

September 28, 2020Bulgaria, Russia

Governance

Is Bulgaria in the verge of crisis and can this spread to EU?

Bulgaria was always seen as a corner of European Union. For political reasons, economic but also because it never fully transitioned to EU. Latest protests and implications of its leadership…

August 11, 2020Arbesa Hoxha, Bulgaria

Bulgaria