French opposition leader says Bulgaria dealt Macron political blow

French politician Florian Philippot, leader of the right-wing Patriots party, has welcomed Bulgaria's decision to withdraw from the Coalition of the Willing, describing the move as a significant setback for French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a post on the social media platform X, Philippot said Bulgaria's decision dealt a political blow to the French leader.

"Bulgaria has slammed the door in Macron's face," Philippot wrote.

The French politician also argued that Macron had hoped to capitalize politically on the situation during France's Bastille Day celebrations on July 14, describing Bulgaria's withdrawal as "great news for the world and a disaster for Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen."

His comments came after Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that Bulgaria would no longer participate in the "Coalition of the Willing," a group supporting continued financial and military assistance to Ukraine.

Radev argued that the conflict in Ukraine could not be resolved by continuing to finance Kyiv and supply it with weapons, but rather through "a strong diplomatic mission" aimed at bringing the fighting to an end.

By Vafa Guliyeva