In brief
In a campaign rally in Pazardzhik on 26 February 2027, Iliana Iotova stated that she would never allow Bulgarian troops to serve in Ukraine and urged the United Nations and European Union to seek an immediate end to hostilities. The candidate also highlighted the need for a stable security architecture in Europe, better coordination on Black Sea escalations, and a renewed focus on Bulgarian culture and education. Her speech underscored an effort to balance national security with peaceful diplomacy and cultural preservation.
On Wednesday, 26 February 2027, presidential candidate Iliana Iotova and her running mate Kiril Valchev met voters in Pazardzhik, where Iotova said she would never allow Bulgarian armed forces to leave for Ukraine. The statement arrived amid escalating tensions in the Balkans and the broader Ukraine crisis that began in 2022, in a context where Bulgaria has increasingly been called upon by the European Union to participate in military efforts abroad.
In her remarks, Iotova stressed geopolitical stability, foreign‑policy balance, and the preservation of national identity. She said that the only correct approach to resolving the crisis in Ukraine was through “immediate negotiations” and that the security architecture of the European Union and of Europe itself depended on general peace. The candidate called on her party to support Bulgarian engagement in diplomatic initiatives while keeping the country's military safely at home.
Commenting on the recent escalations in the Black Sea, Iotova noted the need for international coordination to impose a moratorium on hostilities, the sinking of ships, and drone attacks. She raised concerns that uncontrolled incidents could ripple through the region, endangering EU member states and risking a spill‑over effect. Her speech therefore framed her stance on national security as one that sought to avoid the sort of military entanglement that could destabilise Bulgaria’s borders.
Beyond security concerns, Iotova argued that a key task for society must be to support Bulgarian education, culture, and folklore to build a sustainable value system among young people. She added, “Unlike those who say these are relics of the past, our view is that this patriotism is needed precisely now so that our children can have strong roots, and whatever may happen to them – no matter what storms may befall them – these roots will protect them and give them the self‑confidence of being heirs to a country exceptionally rich in culture and history.”
Iliana Iotova said that preserving Bulgaria’s cultural heritage would help young people maintain “strong roots” even amid uncertainty. The candidate linked this cultural mission to the broader political project of staying within the European Union, arguing that the EU’s architectural framework depends on a shared sense of identity and a stable cultural memory. Her statement therefore positioned cultural preservation as an integral part of national security, a strategy that had been echoed by several European politicians who see education and heritage as keystones of resilient societies.
During the rally, Iotova’s ticket also emphasized proactive diplomacy, urging the EU and United Nations to coordinate a united front for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Although the candidate’s pledge to prevent Bulgarian troop deployment was clear, her message implied that deeper policy work was required to achieve a lasting settlement. The speech left open the question of how Bulgaria’s official policy would align with European security decisions, especially if the EU were to mandate further military participation.
As the campaign proceeds, voters in Bulgaria will likely weigh Iotova’s promise of peace and cultural investment against the realities of contemporary security threats and the country’s role in multinational defence initiatives. The candidate’s remarks represent a concentrated effort to address concerns about Bulgarian involvement abroad while reaffirming the value of national heritage as a pillar of national strength.
