Russian Ambassador told BNT: Russia considers severing diplomatic relations with Bulgaria (update)

Moscow is considering to sever diplomatic relations with Bulgaria over the scandal with the expelled 70 Russian diplomats. This was stated on June 30 by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Eleonora Mitrofanova, for BNT.

Russia describes the actions of the Bulgarian government as unprecedented. Ambassador Mitrofanova was received at the Foreign Ministry today, where with a note verbale she demanded the withdrawal of the decision to expel the diplomats by 12 noon tomorrow, July 1.

BNT reporter Tihomir Ignatov spoke to the Russian ambassador:

BNT: Everyone is now asking - what will be Russia's response?

Her Excellency, Eleonora Mitrofanova. I am now in contact with Moscow. And Moscow will take very drastic measures. This cannot go without consequences."

BNT: Such as? What does "reciprocal asymmetric response" mean?

H.E., Eleonora Mitrofanova: Even diplomatic relations could be severed! Moscow will take the decision.

Political reactions to the news about the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats

BNT: The government has again cast a shadow of suspicion over spying and working against the country's interests. The Prime Minister referred to State Agency for National Security (SANS) reports on spying activities.

H.E., Eleonora Mitrofanova. When they call the ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and say that they want to expel diplomats, they have to show that SANS has data against specific people. They should say what they have done and declare that they consider this to be illegal. If there is evidence, then of course expel them. But 70 people - why? What does it mean against the interests of Bulgaria. First of all, every embassy everywhere works for the interests of its country. As well as for the development of relations in the country where it is located. But when the minister plenipotentiary, who knows the Bulgarian language, who knows a large number of people, or the consuls-general, who work in the country and half of Bulgaria knows them...

Bulgarian Foreign Ministry declares two Russian diplomats persona non grata

BNT: The Prosecutor's office is investigating a Bulgarian general and a Russian diplomat for espionage. The news was reported on 2 March. Before that, Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev announced a spy ring compared to the legendary “Cambridge Five”.

H.E. Eleonora Mitrofanova. They have not gathered any evidence. You see, if we're looking at any meetings... with the Bulgarian counterpart or someone you know from the good old days when the military and intelligence used to communicate. We have an official intelligence representative in the embassy and SANS know it very well. We had a security official who dealt with terrorism and rendition issues. We had a military attaché, and now all our military representatives, that is to say the official representatives of the military department, have been expelled.

BNT: Weren't you the person who changed the good tone? And is there another diplomat who calls the Prime Minister of a country a "clerk"?

H.E., Eleonora Mitrofanova: And what is he? He is a clerk. He is in the civil service. Is there anything offensive? I am a civil servant, too. Maybe there are different interpretations in the Russian and Bulgarian language. It is not an offensive word in the Russian language. I think he was given a task to expel everything Russian, everything connected with Russia. Of course, the special military operation contributed to this process in the Western countries - to reject everything Russian. But he is a rootless man who absolutely does not understand. If he had changed his rhetoric and not spoken the way he does, I think he would have had a very long political life.

BNT: Some politicians want you to be recalled. Are you thinking of stepping down in the name of compromise?

H.E. Eleonora Mitrofanova: No, I don't think so. It will be some other person. And so what? What will change? Nothing will change. Every embassy has a state policy.

Tension among the ruling parties – Should Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova be declared persona non grata?