Russian Opposition Criticizes EU Multi-Entry Visa Ban as Counterproductive
Russian opposition figures have voiced strong criticism of the European Union’s recent decision to ban multi-entry visas for Russian citizens traveling to the Schengen area
Bulgarian citizen Rositsa Georgieva, who resides in Russia’s Volgograd region, has been sentenced to three years in prison over online comments, according to reports from the independent Russian human rights Telegram channel OVD-Info.
The case against Georgieva stems from charges of “justifying terrorism,” linked to remarks she reportedly made in March and November 2024 under posts about the activities of the “Russian Volunteer Corps,” a unit fighting alongside the Ukrainian army. On September 9, 2025, a Volgograd court handed her a three-year sentence to be served in a general-regime penal colony. OVD-Info notes that the ruling has not yet come into effect.
It remains unclear when the criminal proceedings officially began. However, OVD-Info reports that Georgieva faced a series of arrests in December 2024. She was first detained for 13 days on December 9 for disobeying police orders, and then arrested again on December 21 for ten days on a separate administrative charge for petty hooliganism.
The case has drawn attention due to its connection to online expression and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the Russian authorities’ broad interpretation of laws on “justifying terrorism” in the context of social media activity.
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov admitted that he does not consider the draft state budget for 2026 to be a good one, yet described it as the only feasible option under the current geopolitical and domestic circumstances
The Bulgarian government has approved the draft State Budget Act for 2026, along with the updated Medium-Term Budget Forecast for 2026–2028
GERB leader Boyko Borissov said he was certain that Bulgaria would obtain a derogation related to the application of US sanctions against Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft
Starting today, Blagomir Kotsev officially resumes his role as mayor of Varna, putting an end to the period of substitution
Bulgaria is set to receive the third disbursement under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan before the end of the year
Sea trials have begun for Bulgaria’s first multipurpose modular patrol vessel for the Navy, marking another step in the modernization of the country’s maritime defense capabilities
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence