The Bulgarian government unexpectedly backed out of a deal to sell two unused nuclear reactors to Kyiv at the last minute—largely due to internal pressure from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP/S&D), which has been accused of taking an explicitly “pro-Russia” stance throughout the war. The backtracking could land awkwardly with the ruling parties’ mainstream allies in Brussels.
The two redundant Russian-made VVER-1000 reactors, along with the four steam generators and circulation pumps, have been in storage for 15 years since the country abandoned its plans to build the Belene nuclear power plant with Russian technology back in 2010.
Instead, Bulgaria opted to upgrade its only existing plant in Kozloduy with two additional nuclear units using American AP1000 technology, with South Korea’s Hyundai awarded the construction project.
Possessing compatible infrastructure, Ukraine offered €600 million for the redundant reactors, and the Bulgarian parliament approved the sale .
After a new government emerged following four years of political crisis and seven elections earlier this year, PM Boyko Borisov (GERB/EPP) once again confirmed the sale, claiming that his socialist coalition partners have also agreed since it was a clear financial win for the country.
Yet, it turns out, BSP never gave up on the reactors, even if Bulgaria has no use for them in the foreseeable future. “We were adamant from the start that these reactors are not for sale,” BSP leader and deputy PM Atanas Zafirov said. “They are a key asset for Bulgaria—part of our energy security and economic independence.”
The decision to back out from the deal was announced by Zafirov on Tuesday, April 15th, with the socialist leader claiming it was taken unanimously by all coalition partners and that the government seeks to restart the Belene project which cost over €1 billion two decades ago with no tangible results.
The move can land awkwardly in Brussels, where the two largest mainstream political groups—von der Leyen’s EPP and the socialist S&D—have been downplaying concerns about their Bulgarian members.
The widespread corruption of the coalition-leading GERB has contributed massively to the country’s four-year political deadlock, yet the EPP has never taken a stance against its member’s supposed rule of law violations. Now, the EPP’s mantra that it only cooperates with parties that are staunchly pro-Ukraine also takes a hit, as BSP is sitting among its primary coalition partners in Brussels.