European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the VMZ factory in Bulgaria, where she praised the country’s defense industry and announced new EU-backed investments. The visit highlighted Bulgaria’s strategic role in European defense production while exposing sharp divisions at home.
Inside the factory, European leaders celebrated industrial capacity and jobs; outside, nationalist protesters blocked traffic, waved Bulgarian and Russian flags, and denounced the visit with chants such as “NATO out.” The confrontation underscored a growing cleavage in Bulgarian public opinion over the country’s role in supplying weapons for Ukraine and deeper ties with NATO and the EU.
Inside the Factory: Production, Jobs and European Pride
Bulgaria’s defense sector was presented as a source of both national and European pride. The country was noted to have the highest defense industry turnover relative to GDP in the European Union, and it stands out as the only member state where the largest private employer is a defense company.
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Bulgaria’s practical contribution to Ukraine’s defense: “Here you are producing large quantities of ammunition, much of which is supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom. And at the beginning of the war, one third of the weapons used in Ukraine was coming from Bulgaria.” She thanked Bulgaria for its “ironclad support” and highlighted the local economic benefits of further investment.
SAFE Instrument and Joint Procurement Plans
To coordinate European defense investment, von der Leyen outlined the SAFE instrument — a €150 billion fund for joint procurement created at EU level and subscribed in record time. The fund is intended to finance coordinated purchases of defense equipment across member states to strengthen collective security.
Von der Leyen urged rapid implementation and coordination: the EU will invest the SAFE funds in joint procurement and develop a roadmap to identify defense gaps, set targets, and establish milestones through to 2030. She stressed urgency by setting a production target: “Our production capacity should reach two million shells by the end of this year.”
Outside the Factory: Protests and Nationalist Backlash
Protesters organized by the Revival party surrounded a vehicle they believed carried von der Leyen, blocked traffic, and accused Brussels of dragging Bulgaria into a war that is not its own. They displayed Bulgarian and Russian flags and chanted anti-NATO slogans, signaling opposition to deeper military cooperation with the West.
Revival’s leader Kostadin Kostadinov framed the situation as involuntary involvement: Bulgaria is “being forced into a war that is not theirs, turned into a weapon supplier for Ukraine without the consent of its people.” For many demonstrators, promises of jobs and security sounded like a loss of sovereignty rather than an economic opportunity.
Bulgaria’s Official Position and Contributions
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov reiterated that Bulgaria’s definitive stance is decided by its National Assembly: “The decision of the National Assembly is that we will not send out troops to Ukraine.” At the same time, he described Bulgaria’s contributions within the limits set by parliament — participation focused on maritime operations, anti-mining efforts, and air policing infrastructure.
The government’s approach aims to balance domestic political constraints with allied commitments. Von der Leyen highlighted Bulgaria’s tangible output and framed it as beneficial both locally and across Europe: increased ammunition production, strengthened cooperation with NATO, and up to 1,000 new jobs in the region from planned expansions.
Coalition of the Willing and European Coordination
European Council representation stressed broader coalition efforts. António Costa praised the “coalition of the willing” led by other European leaders that brought together EU members and partners such as Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Canada, New Zealand and Australia to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
That coalition — described as including 26 members who agreed to integrate efforts — aims to reassure the Ukrainian armed forces and deter future aggression by offering security guarantees and coordinated support across multiple defense domains.
What Comes Next: Roadmap, Production and Political Tensions
European leaders announced plans for a roadmap to identify defense gaps and set milestones to 2030, emphasizing speed and coordination in implementing investments. The SAFE instrument is central to these plans, with concrete projects proposed at VMZ: a gunpowder plant, an extension of the existing facility, and a NATO-standard artillery shell plant.
The visit made clear that industrial expansion, job creation, and an intensified defense posture are closely linked — but they also expose internal political friction. The split between pro-EU, pro-NATO policymakers and nationalist groups skeptical of closer Western ties will shape how these investments are received and implemented at the local level.
Conclusion
Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to VMZ crystallized a tense balancing act: Bulgaria’s defense industry is a strategic asset for Europe and for Ukraine’s defense, yet domestic opposition insists on strict limits to military involvement. The EU’s SAFE instrument and a planned roadmap aim to translate political commitments into coordinated procurement and production, with clear targets and timelines.
As investments proceed and production ramps up, the coming months and the October European Council discussions will be decisive in determining how Bulgaria’s industry, public sentiment, and European defense policy evolve together toward the 2030 milestones.
