Sofia, Bulgaria: President Rumen Radev met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Bulgaria. During the meeting, the Ukrainian president clashed with his Bulgarian counterpart and was seen losing control over Bulgaria’s decision not to arm Kyiv.
The Bulgarian head of state remains stick to his decision of not arming Ukraine and having no involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict continuing since February 24, 2022.
He stated that the conflict in Ukraine has no military solution. Therefore consistent efforts are needed to de-escalate, ceasefire and seek a peaceful resolution with diplomatic funds, which are not yet exhausted.
“As the President and Commander-in-Chief, I have clear responsibilities not to weaken the defensive capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces because the security environment in our region is also worrying enough. That is why I do not accept the supply of weapons and ammunition, especially from the reserves of the Bulgarian Army”, said President Radev.
President Radev emphasizes that in the first heaviest months of the war, Bulgaria gave a hand to thousands of Ukrainian citizens seeking salvation from the conflict. Many Ukrainians who came to us are still under the protection of the Bulgarian state, which continues to provide humanitarian assistance.
According to him, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is expanding its territorial scope and taking on new dimensions, and fighting operations are becoming intensified and more people are dying, including Bulgarians from the sizeable Bulgarian community in Ukraine. Risks for peace and security in Europe, including radioactive pollution, are growing every day for Ukraine and Europe.
As he mentioned before, The Bulgarian President made a clear statement that arming Ukraine will not end the conflict but escalate the situation bringing terror and death to other European countries.
That’s why he refused Zelensky’s requests of arming Ukraine by providing weapons from Bulgarian arsenal. The Ukrainian president was seen as unhappy with the decision and losing control. He left the meeting and criticized his Bulgarian counterpart for not standing with Ukraine.
President Radev said, “The conflict is turning into a war of exhaustion affecting the economies of all European countries and exacerbating social tensions. Currently, we constantly hear the word “victory” from both sides, but we would like to hear more the word “peace” and the leading efforts to be specifically for its achievement”.