Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a visit to Bulgaria on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
His visit, though brief, was at the invitation of Bulgaria’s new pro-Western government which was sworn in a month ago.
Zelenskyy met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov at the Bulgarian capital, Sofia where they discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation.
During a joint news conference with Denkov after the meetings, Zelenskyy said, “We discussed the military aid which Bulgaria gives to our country.” He added, “We count on the continuation of the cooperation, which has already saved many lives.”
He also thanked his hosts for their support.
Moreover, Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.
“Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred.
“This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy invited Bulgaria to participate in the reconstruction effort in Ukraine, particularly in the rebuilding of the education sector.
Bulgarian Prime Minister, Nikolai Denkov emphasized the support of his country, an European Union and NATO member, for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“Bulgaria is consistent in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine because we are convinced that an independent and sovereign Ukraine is key for Euro-Atlantic security in the region.”
Nikolai Denkov
“Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognized borders and should bear its responsibility,” he added.
Also on Thursday, Bulgaria’s Parliament approved a declaration of support for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance once the war is over.
According to the declaration, Russia’s full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognized borders of the affected sovereign states is the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe.
The declaration, which was supported by a majority in Parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself.
However, the document was opposed by the Socialist party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.
Later in the day, Zelenskyy faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgaria’s largely ceremonial President, Rumen Radev.
“I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it.”
Rumen Radev
Radev urged for “consistent efforts to deescalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.”
Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion.
Large parts of the Bulgarian population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.
Russia Claims Ukraine Is Interested In Expanding Conflict
Kremlin Spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov averred that Zelenskyy’s visit to Bulgaria depicts that Ukraine is doing all it can to drag as many countries as possible into the conflict.
Peskov stated that discussions, like those Zelenskyy was having in Bulgaria, would not affect the outcome of Russia’s “special military operation” in a big way and pointed to the situation on the front line as evidence.
In other developments, Zelenskyy is scheduled to vist Prague and Turkey. The Ukrainian President is expected in Prague later on Thursday for talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
He will visit Turkey on Friday, July 7, 2023, for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Black Sea grain deal and to discuss the war in Ukraine, Turkish news agency reported.
The two leaders will hold face-to-face talks and also attend inter-delegation meetings, the report added.
