Following map is showing probable extent of Bulgarian conquests in the north after the Franks delivered a death blow to the Avar khaganate in Pannonia.
Bulgaria lost land by losing wars as is most often the case.
The peak of power and territorial extension of Bulgarian state was the first Bulgarian empire that existed in early middle ages. Bulgaria conquered vast territories in southeastern Europe, and at certain points in time it probably controlled all of what now are Romania and Serbia.
Following map is showing the Balkans before Bulgaria conquered Serbia for the first of two times it did in early middle ages. Serbia was then a smaller state then today and it was located to the southwest of it’s current location. Modern capital of Serbia, Belgrade was a Bulgarian town in IX century
The first Bulgarian empire was destroyed by Byzantium in 1018 by the emperor known as Bulgar slayer, Basil II.
Never again were Bulgarians able to create as strong, expansive and culturally influential state, although the second empire was founded in 1185.
Romanian states were formed by liberation from Tatars, not Bulgarians who were also Tatar vassals.
Serbia expanded to what once were Bulgarian territories mostly by taking them from Byzantium and later in modern age, from Ottomans
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