Bulgaria’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, has already demonstrated a willingness to challenge the European Union’s consensus regarding sanctions against Russia. During his debut at the European Council summit, Radev adopted a confrontational approach reminiscent of his predecessor, Boyko Borissov, known for voicing skepticism towards stringent penalties on Moscow. This shift suggests a potential weakening of the united front on Russia policy within the EU. Radev’s stance raises questions about Bulgaria’s commitment to the bloc’s foreign policy objectives and could complicate future negotiations on sanctions extensions. Sources indicate he intends to advocate for a reassessment of the sanctions’ impact on Bulgaria’s economic interests. This divergence in opinion highlights growing internal divisions within the EU regarding the effectiveness and consequences of the current sanctions regime. The move signals a more assertive Bulgarian foreign policy under the new administration.