In brief
Sofia says it will abstain without blocking EU military aid decisions and direct its contributions to other measures.
Bulgaria’s government has approved a decision to exclude purchases of new lethal weapons for Ukraine from its contributions to the European Peace Facility, LIGA.net reported on October 21, citing Mediapool and the Bulgarian government’s press office.
The government adopted a position of “constructive abstention”, allowing it to withhold support for EU foreign and security policy decisions without preventing their adoption. Bulgaria will abstain in votes on military assistance to Ukraine, while its contributions will fund measures that do not involve buying new lethal weapons.
Sofia also wants its funding to go first to Ukrainian regions with a Bulgarian minority. The government is discussing that possibility with the European Commission; LIGA.net did not report an agreement on the allocation.
The European Peace Facility was established in 2021 to finance EU military and defence measures. Member states contribute according to their gross national income. The Bulgarian decision concerns funding through this specific instrument.