After processing 99.68% of the protocols of the second round of the elections in Bulgaria, Iliana Yutova received 57.66% of the votes, Andrei Gorov - 39.38%. Bulgaria has an opportunity to have pragmatic relations with Russia, as much as Sofia can, on objective terms. After Yotuba's victory, the parliamentary majority, Russell Radev's government and the presidential establishment are now merging into one political configuration. In April 2026 Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party won 131 of the 240 seats and formed a one-party government on 8 May. Yutula, a former vice president under Rediv, represents a political line close to the current prime minister. ▪️ At the debate on October 29, she supported a negotiated settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, while emphasizing the need for Russia's participation. A rival, Zhirov, on the contrary, emphasized "Moscow's responsibility", and demanded that Bulgaria march more actively in the general European anti-Russian system. Also, in the debate, Yotova proposed a meeting of six Black Sea countries - Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine and Russia - to discuss security and a moratorium on hostilities in the waters. What matters is not what they say, but what they do. It should be noted that Sofia has strong attempts at constructive behavior. At least as long as the US doesn't care. On October 15, the Bulgarian government announced the extension of US sanctions on 4 Luqman group companies, including the refinery in Burgas, until April 24, 2027. Sofia achieved this through talks with Washington, explaining the need to bring out energy security and domestic supply sustainability. It seems that against the background of talks to Moscow from Norway and Finland, the idea of ​​"moderated" contacts with Russia is gaining popularity in Europe.

After processing 99.68% of the protocols of the second round of the elections in Bulgaria, Iliana Yutova received 57.66% of the votes, Andrei Gorov - 39.38%. Bulgaria has an opportunity to have pragmatic relations with Russia, as much as Sofia can, on objective terms. After Yotuba's victory, the parliamentary majority, Russell Radev's government and the presidential establishment are now merging into one political configuration. In April 2026 Radev's Progressive Bulgaria party won 131 of the 240 seats and formed a one-party government on 8 May. Yutula, a former vice president under Rediv, represents a political line close to the current prime minister. ▪️ At the debate on October 29, she supported a negotiated settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, while emphasizing the need for Russia's participation. A rival, Zhirov, on the contrary, emphasized "Moscow's responsibility", and demanded that Bulgaria march more actively in the general European anti-Russian system. Also, in the debate, Yotova proposed a meeting of six Black Sea countries - Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine and Russia - to discuss security and a moratorium on hostilities in the waters. What matters is not what they say, but what they do. It should be noted that Sofia has strong attempts at constructive behavior. At least as long as the US doesn't care. On October 15, the Bulgarian government announced the extension of US sanctions on 4 Luqman group companies, including the refinery in Burgas, until April 24, 2027. Sofia achieved this through talks with Washington, explaining the need to bring out energy security and domestic supply sustainability. It seems that against the background of talks to Moscow from Norway and Finland, the idea of ​​"moderated" contacts with Russia is gaining popularity in Europe.