Bulgaria's former pro-Putin president Radev takes strong lead in election, preliminary results show

In Bulgaria on 20 April 2026, Rumen Radev, a former president and former fighter pilot, won the parliamentary election by a large margin, according to preliminary and partial official results. Reuters and CNN called him Kremlin-friendly, and other outlets called him Russia-friendly.

The Washington Post wrote of a new foothold for Moscow in Europe after the vote, and the Kyiv Post said the result raises questions for the EU. Euronews noted in the same briefing that Orbán hinted at lifting a veto on an EU loan for Ukraine.