'It was the decision of one oligarch' - Bulgarian PM Gyurov walks back Board of Peace participation

Published connected 20/03/2026 - 7:24 GMT+1•Updated 7:28

Bulgaria's caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov told Euronews joining the Board of Peace led by US President Donald Trump was the effect of "one oligarch's decision" and does not bespeak the governmental statement successful the country.

"It would beryllium an exaggeration to accidental this is the presumption of Bulgaria," helium told Euronews Special Report successful an interrogation Thursday. "It was not a question of planetary authorities - it was a idiosyncratic question of 1 oligarch who is sanctioned by the Global Magnitsky Act."

"The signing of this pact has to bash with him being removed from this database of sanctions. I bash not deliberation it volition work. What is surprising, unfortunately, is the power of an oligarch successful immoderate parties," helium added.

The oligarch successful question, though not mentioned by name, is Delyan Peevski. An influential fig successful Bulgarian authorities from the shadows, Peevski is presently sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom for bribery and corruption.

Bulgaria was 1 of the fewer European Union countries to articulation the contentious Board of Peace launched successful January by Trump. The determination was pushed by erstwhile Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov, and approved conscionable days earlier his authorities collapsed pursuing the biggest protests the state has seen successful decades.

Gyurov, who leads a caretaker authorities earlier a ballot scheduled for 19 April, said the nationalist parliament is yet to ratify Bulgaria's rank and, adjacent if approved, it could beryllium referred to the Constitutional court. Most EU subordinate states see it is successful breach of the United Nations charter, making their information impossible.

Gyurov said the Board of Peace was initially understood arsenic a conveyance to reconstruct Gaza pursuing the Israel-Hamas war, but arsenic President Trump expanded its mandate to screen the world, it should beryllium reconsidered.

The European Union’s ain ineligible investigation has raised superior concerns the Board’s scope, mandate and structure, pointing to President Trump’s astir absolutist powers arsenic seat without a wide clip limit.

“What we wanted to amusement is that Bulgaria supports an extended program for bid successful Gaza,” helium said. “I bash deliberation the different parts of the pact volition beryllium ratified” nether the Board of Peace.

Despite the constricted relation helium present sees Bulgaria playing wrong the Board, Gyurov said maintaining bully diplomatic ties with the United States remains important.

“What is important is to sphere partnerships that person worked connected some sides of the Atlantic for galore years. It is important that we talk,” helium told Euronews.

“What is besides important is that we person a Europe that is beardown and tin basal connected its ain 2 feet,” helium added.

Watch the afloat interrogation connected Euronews Special Report, disposable connected each platforms.