Bulgaria

Extreme heat has caused a critical drop in water levels in rivers across Central and Eastern Europe. In Hungary, the water level in the Tisza has decreased by 60%, and in the Danube by 40%, leading to the suspension of ferry services between Bulgaria and Romania.

A Flixbus bus, en route to Vienna, veered off the A19 highway near Röbel and overturned. 31 people were injured, one of them seriously, and Ukrainians are among the casualties.

In the first quarter of 2025, housing prices in the European Union increased by 5. 7%, and rental prices by 3.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Since 2010, housing prices in the EU have risen by 57.9%, and rental prices by 27.8%.

Ukraine extended the agreement with Poland on gas imports until September 2024, doubling the permitted volume to 12. 4 million cubic meters per day. This strengthens the country's energy security and opens access to new supply sources, including LNG terminals in Poland and Lithuania.

In Romania, a bus with 60 Ukrainian citizens was involved in a road accident with a minibus. A Romanian citizen died, one Ukrainian woman and two Romanian citizens were injured.

Romania has extended the mandatory licensing requirement for Ukrainian products until December 31, 2025. This measure, introduced to protect local farmers, covers the entire agri-food supply chain.

The Ukrainian men's national volleyball team secured its fifth victory in the 2025 Nations League, defeating Bulgaria 3:1. This victory moved the team to fifth place in the standings, and they continue to compete for the playoffs.

The Ukrainian men's national volleyball team secured its fourth victory in the 2025 Nations League season, defeating Japan 3:2. This was the first official encounter between the two teams, which ended in Ukraine's favor and allowed them to take fourth place in the standings.

The Ukrainian men's national volleyball team won its third victory in the League of Nations 2025, defeating Turkey with a score of 3:0. This is the first victory over the Turks since 2018, which brought the team 10 points and a spot in the top 6.

Ukraine's junior national team won gold medals at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Sofia in group exercises with clubs, scoring 24. 900 points. The team also won a bronze medal in the all-around.

Minister of Energy German Halushchenko confirmed that the issue of purchasing nuclear reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi NPP remains open, despite Bulgaria's statements about refusal. Ukraine plans to cooperate with the IAEA to promote this project.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a visit of foreign diplomats to the site of the Russian strike on a building in Kyiv. Representatives of more than 60 missions saw the consequences of Russian terror in Ukraine.

A number of EU countries still use Soviet helicopters and airplanes, which are important for Ukraine in the war. They are needed for the evacuation of the wounded and strikes against the enemy, but their support is becoming more difficult.

During the Ukraine - Southeast Europe summit, additional defense packages from some countries were confirmed. Support for Ukraine's energy resilience was also discussed.

Serbian President Vucic did not sign the summit declaration condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Other leaders of Southeast European countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and condemned the war.

Zelenskyy, together with the leaders of the countries participating in the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit, honored the memory of fallen soldiers in Odesa. Foreign guests were told the stories of Ukrainian defenders.

Ukrainian gymnast Taisia Onofriichuk won gold at the European Championships in Tallinn. This is Ukraine's first victory in the individual all-around in 28 years.

Contracts for service in the Ukrainian Legion were signed in Lublin. Volunteers from different countries will undergo 45-day military training in Poland.

The Russian Federation is actively buying up Soviet-made parts all over the world in order to prevent them from reaching Ukraine.

The head of the legal committee of the Aerospace Association of Ukraine emphasizes the risk of losing an industry that was one of the flagships.

The European Commission has approved Bulgaria's transition to the euro from January 1, 2026, which will make it the 21st country in the Eurozone. The assessment confirms Bulgaria's compliance with the convergence criteria.

Russian Gazprom has suspended the gas hub project in Turkey, which was supposed to be a way to return to the European market. Turkey has no export capacity, and the EU plans to ban gas from russia.

Ukrainian aviation is on the verge of survival due to the loss of access to Soviet-era components. Experts are calling for the import of such parts from third countries to be allowed.

Despite the US call for coordinated action, a new package of EU sanctions against Russia is unlikely to be ready for the G7 summit. Hungary may block some proposals.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a telephone conversation with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev that efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited Rosen Zhelyazkov to participate in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit, where they will discuss security and the reconstruction of Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria confirmed his participation.

The President of Serbia stated that he would not fulfill contracts if there is a suspicion that weapons will end up in Ukraine. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service reported on the supply of ammunition to Kyiv by Serbia.

In the second half of 2024, electricity prices for households increased in 10 EU countries and decreased in 14. The largest increase was in Portugal, and the largest decrease was in Latvia.

Gas transmission system operators from five countries have offered a joint product for gas transportation from Greece to Ukraine. The auction for booking capacity for June will take place on May 29.

The European Commission and the European Central Bank will give their consent for Bulgaria to join the Eurozone. This is expected to happen on January 1, 2026, making the country the 21st member of the currency union.