Bulgaria’s Vazrazhdane (Revival) party formalised its alliance with Russian ruling United Russia party, signing a cooperation agreement during a high-profile visit to Moscow, Bulgarian media reported.
The deal, inked by senior representatives from both parties, signals a deepening of ties between Bulgarian politicians and the Kremlin despite ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.
The agreement, announced in a Vazrazhdane press release, establishes a framework for “exchange of experience, ideas, and political practices” between the two parties. Tsoncho Ganev, Vazrazhdane’s deputy chairman and a deputy speaker in Bulgaria’s National Assembly, signed the document alongside Vladimir Yakushev, a senior figure in Russia’s State Duma (parliament).
Vazrazhdane, which holds 33 seats in Bulgaria’s 240-member parliament, has consistently opposed the country’s NATO membership, eurozone accession, and Western-aligned foreign policy. The party has also been claiming that Bulgaria should remain “neutral” in the Ukraine conflict.
The Moscow visit, which included participation in a forum “On the Significance of the Victory over Nazism. Lessons from the Creation of the UN” emphasises the ideological affinity with the Russian stance. The delegation’s trip also mirrors a similar visit last year by Bulgarian political forces, including the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), currently part of the ruling coalition.
Vazrazhdane, which gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by opposing vaccines and restrictions, has since positioned itself as a staunch opponent of EU and NATO policies. As Bulgaria navigates its eurozone accession and European commitments, the party’s deepening ties with Russia present a direct challenge to the country’s geopolitical orientation.
