{"id":2691,"date":"2025-09-06T10:18:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T15:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rodaportal.net\/?p=2691"},"modified":"2025-09-06T10:19:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T15:19:00","slug":"von-der-leyen-bulgaria-safe-fund-ammo-targets-protests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rodaportal.net\/?p=2691","title":{"rendered":"URSULA VON DER LEYEN Sparks PROTESTS in BULGARIA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the VMZ factory in Bulgaria, where she praised the country&#8217;s defense industry and announced new EU-backed investments. The visit highlighted Bulgaria&#8217;s strategic role in European defense production while exposing sharp divisions at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 \u201c<strong>NATO out<\/strong>.\u201d The confrontation underscored a growing cleavage in Bulgarian public opinion over the country\u2019s role in supplying weapons for Ukraine and deeper ties with NATO and the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"URSULA VON DER LEYEN Sparks PROTESTS in BULGARIA | UKRAINE Support\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KiNI8OY5sCM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Inside the Factory: Production, Jobs and European Pride<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bulgaria\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Bulgaria\u2019s practical contribution to Ukraine\u2019s defense: \u201cHere 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 <strong>third of the weapons used in Ukraine was coming from Bulgaria.<\/strong>\u201d She thanked Bulgaria for its \u201c<strong>ironclad support<\/strong>\u201d and highlighted the local economic benefits of further investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2F03c50b76-bee5-4871-a388-f550d060a064.webp?alt=media&amp;token=15d85d0d-60fa-4fd5-8947-535ec02837b2\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SAFE Instrument and Joint Procurement Plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To coordinate European defense investment, von der Leyen outlined the SAFE instrument \u2014 a <strong>\u20ac150 billion fund for joint procurement created at EU level<\/strong> and subscribed in record time. The fund is intended to finance coordinated purchases of defense equipment across member states to strengthen collective security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Von der Leyen urged rapid implementation and coordination: <strong>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.<\/strong> She stressed urgency by setting a production target: \u201cOur production capacity should reach two million shells by the end of this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2F94db3520-40ec-463a-a5ec-f83f64e9e01a.webp?alt=media&amp;token=7037b5b3-11e3-47cd-814a-27f321750afa\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Outside the Factory: Protests and Nationalist Backlash<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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. <strong>They displayed Bulgarian and Russian flags and chanted anti-NATO slogans, signaling opposition to deeper military cooperation with the West.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Revival\u2019s leader <strong>Kostadin Kostadinov <\/strong>framed the situation as involuntary involvement: Bulgaria is \u201c<strong>being forced into a war that is not theirs, turned into a weapon supplier for Ukraine without the consent of its people.<\/strong>\u201d For many demonstrators, promises of jobs and security sounded like a loss of sovereignty rather than an economic opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2F49606a3d-655d-4420-a159-68aa3b2c72f2.webp?alt=media&amp;token=2974451f-4500-4ceb-8950-2d14418f5b68\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bulgaria\u2019s Official Position and Contributions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov reiterated that Bulgaria\u2019s definitive stance is decided by its National Assembly: <strong>\u201cThe decision of the National Assembly is that we will not send out troops to Ukraine.<\/strong>\u201d At the same time, he described Bulgaria\u2019s contributions within the limits set by parliament \u2014 participation focused on maritime operations, anti-mining efforts, and air policing infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The government\u2019s approach aims to balance domestic political constraints with allied commitments. <strong>Von der Leyen highlighted Bulgaria\u2019s tangible output<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2Fa973afa9-70da-4d37-b259-4d8bb81f6433.webp?alt=media&amp;token=ecd38715-6450-47f1-8ca1-998e7ffd68d6\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Coalition of the Willing and European Coordination<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>European Council representation stressed broader coalition efforts. <strong>Ant\u00f3nio Costa praised the \u201ccoalition of the willing\u201d led by other European leaders<\/strong> that brought together EU members and partners such as Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Canada, New Zealand and Australia to provide security guarantees to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That coalition \u2014 described as including 26 members who agreed to integrate efforts \u2014 aims to reassure the Ukrainian armed forces and deter future aggression by offering security guarantees and coordinated support across multiple defense domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2F93c378bd-1753-4075-87f2-2ec35353fadb.webp?alt=media&amp;token=5c6355bf-6408-407d-b242-064f180d1799\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Comes Next: Roadmap, Production and Political Tensions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>European leaders announced plans for a roadmap to identify <strong>defense gaps and set milestones to 2030<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The visit made clear that industrial expansion, job creation, and an intensified defense posture are closely linked<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2Fea65019b-cf9d-4ecc-a775-5a22edc340a9.webp?alt=media&amp;token=4a83f92c-4184-4051-99d9-44d6f185b573\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s visit to VMZ crystallized a tense balancing act: Bulgaria\u2019s defense industry is a strategic asset for Europe and for Ukraine\u2019s defense<\/strong>, yet domestic opposition insists on strict limits to military involvement. The EU\u2019s SAFE instrument and a planned roadmap aim to translate political commitments into coordinated procurement and production, with clear targets and timelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As investments proceed and production ramps up, the coming months and the October European Council discussions will be decisive in determining how Bulgaria\u2019s industry, public sentiment, and European defense policy evolve together toward the 2030 milestones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/firebasestorage.googleapis.com\/v0\/b\/videotoblog-35c6e.appspot.com\/o\/users%2FfiW0cYALLucN46OgNqQCq7JpfOt2%2FS9NaZpCyhsNt77WoFNVY%2Fc39a9c0d-1148-4297-89c3-9c46b25ff6ba?alt=media&amp;token=01da38b2-18da-40e3-a700-57c48fbe7cb5\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the VMZ factory in Bulgaria, where she praised the country&#8217;s defense industry and announced new EU-backed investments. The visit highlighted Bulgaria&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2692,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[488,489,2929,1544],"tags":[3752,3747,3739,3740,3746,3750,3745,3741,3749,3742,3744,3751,3738,3743,3748],"class_list":{"0":"post-2691","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-geopolitics","8":"category-globalinformative","9":"category-global-news-events","10":"category-video","11":"tag-brussels-vs-bulgaria-protests","12":"tag-bulgaria-divided-nato","13":"tag-bulgaria-nato-protests","14":"tag-bulgaria-ukraine-support","15":"tag-eu-bulgaria-protests","16":"tag-eu-defense-investments-bulgaria","17":"tag-european-union-defense-speech","18":"tag-nato-vs-russia-bulgaria","19":"tag-protests-against-nato-bulgaria","20":"tag-protests-in-bulgaria-2025","21":"tag-revival-party-kostadin-kostadinov","22":"tag-ukraine-war-support-bulgaria","23":"tag-ursula-von-der-leyen-bulgaria","24":"tag-ursula-von-der-leyen-ukraine","25":"tag-von-der-leyen-sparks-protests"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>URSULA VON DER LEYEN Sparks PROTESTS in BULGARIA - Rodaportal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ursula von der Leyen visited Bulgaria\u2019s VMZ plant to unveil SAFE joint\u2011procurement funding and ammunition targets \u2014 while nationalist protests outside exposed deep domestic divisions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rodaportal.net\/?p=2691\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"URSULA VON DER LEYEN Sparks PROTESTS in BULGARIA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ursula von der Leyen visited Bulgaria\u2019s VMZ factory to praise its defence capacity, announce SAFE joint\u2011procurement investments and set ambitious ammunition production targets \u2014 but nationalist protesters outside blocked traffic and chanted anti\u2011NATO slogans. 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