Bulgarian Government: Budanov requested confidential meeting with Radev

The visit to Sofia by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, was held at his request under strict confidentiality for security reasons. During his meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev on Thursday, Budanov shared the Ukrainian side’s views on the possibilities for achieving a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said he had not spoken with Zelensky’s chief of staff. “As far as I know, only the prime minister held such a meeting”, Stoyanov told reporters.

Budanov’s visit prompted questions and strong political reactions. It became public after Tsvetan Tsvetanov, leader of the Republicans for Bulgaria party, posted a photo of himself with the Ukrainian representative on social media. In his accompanying comment, Tsvetanov expressed respect for Budanov and support for efforts to achieve peace. He said he was impressed by Budanov’s intelligence, strong spirit and determination, wished him success in his upcoming meetings in the United States, and expressed hope that his efforts would contribute to a just and lasting peace.

The post drew attention to the visit, for which no detailed official information had initially been provided about the programme, the discussions held or any possible meetings with Bulgarian officials. Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry told NOVA that it had not been informed of Budanov’s visit and that no meeting with the foreign minister had taken place. The Defence Ministry issued the same statement.

It is believed that Zelensky’s chief of staff spent around 20 hours in Sofia before departing for the United States yesterday. Before taking up his current position, Budanov headed Ukraine’s military intelligence.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the Vazrazhdane and DPS parties, Kostadin Kostadinov and Delyan Peevski, said they had no official information about the visit and called on the government to provide explanations.