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This article examines the connection between Bulgarian diplomatic discourse about Russia and the divide between those who embrace and those who reject Russia in contemporary Bulgarian society. This divide is part of a long political history, which has been going on since the country’s independence, and which has become particularly significant at present as a result of the growing tensions between the Russia of Vladimir Putin and the Western allies. Over the last decade, Bulgarian governments have adopted a relatively neutral position, while also declaring their allegiance to NATO and the EU.