Will Bulgaria allocate 80 million euros for Ukraine?

Bulgaria will offer an indicative amount of EUR 80 million for Ukraine, but it can only be provided after the Parliament approves such an allocation, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said on July 5. Glavchev was speaking after remarks by President Rumen Radev, who yesterday said that he cannot accept to see the government turn Bulgaria into an "indefinite donor for the war in Ukraine, until final victory".

The caretaker Prime Minister also announced that he was considering proposing at the NATO summit that Bulgaria be a mediator in future peace talks.

Bulgaria's readiness to provide monetary aid to Ukraine is indicatedd in the Bulgarian position for the NATO summit, Glavchev explained, but specified that the sum of 80 million euros is not included in the current state budget.

"There is such an indicative amount of money, but it can be implemented only after it is adopted by the MPs in the State Budget Act. We have indicated such an amount in the position. Bulgaria is going with this position to the NATO summit, we announce that we are ready for such money, but these or any amounts can only be allocated after the Parliament approves such allocation", said Dimitar Glavchev - caretaker Prime Minister.

GERB-UDF leader, Boyko Borissov and the chairperson of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Delyan Peevski, assured that no money would be given to Ukraine.

"I declare, cash money, I use the word cash because it was used by everyone, will not be given. Everything that will be included in this declaration, everything that Bulgaria has done for Ukraine, is valued," said Boyko Borissov.

"These are again creating fears, talking nonsense. There is a position, there is no such thing, everything is explained. Let's stop these speculations, and let's take care of the country forming a government," said Delyan Peevski.

Borisssov reiterate GERB’s position that no Bulgarian troops would be sent to Ukraine.

"I have always said that Bulgarian soldiers will only defend the territory of our country and no soldiers will go to Ukraine – we guarantee this," the leader of GERB stressed.

Bulgaria should stay as far away from this conflict as possible, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) urged.

"Peace talks are the solution to this issue. That is why we raised the issue from the rostrum several times that it suits Bulgaria that we initiate such peace talks, what Hungary is doing now," said Borislav Gutsanov, chairman of the BSP group.

Glavchev heard the position of the socialists.

"I am committed to propose peace talks, in which Bulgaria will be a mediator, what better way than that. And this is what I will offer", added Dimitar Glavchev.

The NATO summit will be held from 9 to 11 July in Washington.