First Steps in International Relations & the Echo of the Kremlin

Analysis

Progressive Bulgaria appointed the virologist Velislava Petrova as a Minister of Foreign Affairs, while there are still speculations regarding the role of the pro-Russian deputy prime minister Ivo Chirstov. In the meantime, the statements of the new PM sound more appropriate for the Victory Day Parade rather than the Day of Europe.

The New Face

On 11^th May 2026, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs said the following:

“We have been EU members for over 2 decades now, so it’s important to find our place not only as someone who is following someone else’s policies. We see this place as being a country that actively positions forward accents relating to security, connectivity, energy […] We are not going to be a destructive partner, and we are not going to be one that only sets conditions.”

Velislava Petrova-Chomova is a virologist, who was proposed as a Minister twice in project-governments – first for Minister of Health and then for Minister of Education, Science and Innovation. She was nominated by There is Such Nation political party that won 0.736% of the votes in the last election.

Velislava Petrova was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2022 in the government of Kiril Petkov. From 2022 to 2023, she served as deputy minister of foreign affairs. However, not much is known about her and her work.

The Kremlin echo on the agenda

On 9^th May 2026, Rumen Radev (current PM, former president of Bulgaria for 9 years) spoke to the media regarding foreign policy with a view of the celebrations on that day – Europe Day for the countries and Europe and Victory Day for Russia.

“And [as the European Countries] overcame these heavy bloodsheds [meaning WWII], the EU today had the huge obligation to stop the bloodsheds in Ukraine and the Middle East.”

“We owe a lot these days to President Trump, who intervened and prevented a huge escalation that could have happened right on this very day in the clash between Russia and Ukraine.”

Radev’s first foreign visit is expected to be in Germany. However, his statements sound like echoes of the Kremlin’s agenda. Moscow claimed that they declared a ceasefire “based on humanitarian considerations”. The Kremlin was talking about “Ukrainian provocations” that could lead to “consequences” that foreign capitals had to be warned about. A clear theme can be seen in the attempt to paint Ukraine as the aggressor, who could escalation with its actions.

Further to that, in his Victory Day Parade speech, Vladimir Putin said the following: “The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the warriors who today are carrying out the tasks of the special military operation. They are confronting an aggressive force that is being armed and supported by the entire NATO block.” – implying that the West are supporting the “aggressor”, meaning Ukraine. If we go back to Radev’s words, he is saying that the EU can stop the war, implying that the support for Ukraine is bad as it prolongs the conflict. The only way, outside of diplomacy, for the EU and the West to stop the war would be to stop the help for Ukraine. Ending the support would be the ideal case scenario for the Kremlin.

In fact, days before the Victory Parade in Moscow, Volodymyr Zelensky offered a temporary ceasefire, which was rejected by Russia. Hours before the parade, the Kremlin sent threatening statements to Western Embassies in Kyiv, warning them to prepare to evacuate their staff in case Ukraine hits the parade and Russia has to respond by attacking key locations in the capital city.

Vladimir Putin asked Donald Trump to broker the temporary ceasefire agreement. According to Zelensky, the Kremlin violated it almost immediately after it came into force. Both sides have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. Still, Zelensky issued a formal document allowing Russia to have their Victory Parade in Moscow, guaranteeing there will be no attacks by Ukraine.

In the background

Ivo Christov, appointed deputy PM claims that he will be responsible for education, culture, tourism and sport. However, he is mainly known for his stance regarding geopolitics and Foreign Affairs and is openly expressing viewpoints close to those of the Kremlin. He is one of the closest people to Rumen Radev right now.