From "late visit" to "sold national interest" - political reactions to Ukranian President's visit

There were mixed reactions from politicians in the Parliament to the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who arrived in Sofia on July 6, 2023 for a one-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister, Nikolai Denkov.

According to the largest parliamentary group GERB-UDF, the visit is late because of the president, the caretaker governments and Kiril Petkov's regular cabinet.

“We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” believe that Zelensky's visit is a proof that Bulgaria is a significant factor in Europe. “Vazrazhdane” party described the visit as a provocation.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) said it was an assessment of the country's correct behaviour, while the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) commented that the Bulgarian national interest had been sold out today in the chamber. "There is Such a People" said they would support Ukraine's NATO membership after the war.

President Zelensky did not visit the Bulgarian Parliament. However, his visit to our country is late, said Daniel Mitov of GERB-UDF.

"Due to many circumstances, most of all due to the governance of caretaker cabinets, the unclear and very undignified position of the President during the terms of the caretaker cabinets, as well as the undignified position maintained by the government of Kiril Petkov. You remember that, in order not to dissolve the coalition with the BSP, they made Minister Dmytro Kuleba stand here on the sidelines of Parliament. Then they did not take a single courageous step. I do not understand their enthusiasm at the moment. As for the position of GERB-UDF - we have unreservedly and with all our strength given all possible support."

The visit of the Ukrainian president shows that Bulgaria can be a stable partner and a significant factor in Europe, said the co-chairman of “We Continue the Change” Kiril Petkov.

"We have very good relations and we hope to work fruitfully for the benefit of the whole of Europe. What is clearly visible is that there is a majority on this topic and Bulgaria has shown and stated today that the majority of MPs are firmly behind Bulgaria's stable European position and clear support for Ukraine. We can be proud that we are not on the periphery, we are not the unstable partner, we are not the Trojan horse, on the contrary - we are a significant, important partner that Ukraine relies on."

In an address on Facebook this morning, the leader of “Vazrazhdane” commented on Zelensky's visit thus:

"He is coming for us, he is coming for our homes, he is coming for our children, for our country. He is coming to provoke us, to annoy us, because the American ambassador has one goal - a civil war in Bulgaria and then involving us in a large-scale military conflict."

According to the MRF leader, the visit of the Ukrainian President is an assessment of Bulgaria's correct behaviour, the basis of which is the MRF's position.

"The MRF has always defended Bulgaria's Euro-Atlantic orientation. In our opinion, it is not subject to revision, on the contrary - we should be loyal and worthy members of NATO and the EU. We were the reason and the basis on the very first day of the war for the National Assembly to adopt a declaration condemning Russia's military aggression against Ukraine," Mustafa Karadayi said.

The Bulgarian national interest was sold out three times in one day as a function of Zelensky's visit, said BSP leader Kornelia Ninova.

"The Bulgarian national interest was sold three times. The Bulgarian national interest dictates that we have our own nuclear power plant. This project was finished today. The Bulgarian national interest dictates that we have a capable and armed Bulgarian army. And that was sold today. Support for Ukraine's NATO membership expects an increase in tensions in the region and in Europe."

"There is Such a People" want more specifics about the purpose of the visit.

"Otherwise yes, TISP is part of the declaration we signed in support of, one day after the war, hopefully sooner, this hell in Ukraine will end and Ukraine will get NATO membership so that Europe can also guarantee its external security."

Zelensky: Ukraine will never forget that you are with us in such a difficult moment