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Thousands of Bulgarians demonstrated in Sofia on Monday against the involvement of Bulgaria in the US-led NATO military alliance, calling on their government to adopt a neutral stance on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.

The demonstrators expressed their opinions through the raising of banners and chanting of slogans. The protests also entailed a series of addresses from speakers who voiced concerns about the dangers associated with Bulgaria's participation in NATO. 

Protesters chanted “We want peace!” and “NATO, out!” and expressed their desire to hold a referendum, which they believed would lead to Bulgaria leaving the NATO alliance.

Demonstrators in Bulgaria during yesterday's action demanded the closure of NATO bases. pic.twitter.com/iVwwaDJmYv

— Spriter (@Spriter99880) April 24, 2023

The demonstrators contended that Bulgaria ought not to be pulled into a confrontation that contradicts its national interests, adding that the alliance's strong measures toward Russia could trigger a new Cold War.

According to BNN, a large number of Bulgarians have been concerned that their country's close relations with the United States and other NATO members would make it a target in the event of a full-blown confrontation between NATO and Russia.

Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and has since maintained pro-NATO positions, however, the latest escalation in Eastern Europe has led Bulgarians to reconsider.

Former air force commander and current President Rumen Radev has criticized NATO's interventions in Ukraine and advocated for a more impartial stance toward Russia.

The Sofia protest is the most recent in a string of anti-NATO protests across Europe in recent years, indicating rising popular displeasure with the alliance's policies and its perceived contribution to the escalation of tensions with Russia.

NATO allies agree Ukraine should join the alliance: Stoltenberg

The protests were held a couple of days after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that NATO allies have all allegedly agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance.
 
Ahead of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's meeting at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Stoltenberg explained, "I said in Kiev yesterday [on Thursday] that Ukraine's future is in Euro Atlantic family and all NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member."

He also added that the allies discussed the delivery of different types of aircraft to Ukraine. "On jets, well, allies have delivered, Poland has delivered MiG-29s. There's an ongoing discussion about also other types of jets," Stoltenberg added. 
 
During his visit to Kiev on Thursday, Stoltenberg said that allies were committed to delivering more jets, tanks, and armored vehicles to Ukraine, and estimated that NATO's military aid to Ukraine had topped $165 billion since February 2022. 
 
Stoltenberg reiterated during the visit that Ukraine's place was in NATO but gave no timeline for its accession.

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