Zelensky's visit to Bulgaria (summary)

The Ukrainian President is on a visit to Bulgaria on July 6, 2023. He met with Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, the President, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Ukraine thanked Bulgaria for its support amid the moral crisis in Europe. With these words, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Bulgaria, the second country he is visiting in Eastern Europe after Poland. The Ukrainian President also thanked the Bulgarian people and government.

After a meeting at the Council of Ministers, Sofia and Kiev signed a Memorandum on cooperation in the energy sector. Earlier, the parliament decided that Bulgaria would negotiate with Ukraine on the sale of the reactors and equipment intended for the Belene nuclear power plant. The MPs also adopted a declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO membership.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov assured President Zelensky that Ukraine's place was in NATO and the EU and Bulgaria supported this.

Asked by BNT whether Zelensky had requested heavy weapons from Bulgaria, the President did not answer, but explained why they were needed.

At a meeting between the two presidents, Radev and Zelensky, clashed positions on the need to provide arms to the Ukrainian army and the end of the war. The Ukrainian President presented a lecture in front of politicians and civil society organisations.

Shortly after 13.00, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was received by Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel, Minister of Defence Todor Tagarev and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov.

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

After an hour of talks, President Zelensky and Prime Minister Denkov signed a Declaration in support of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. And the energy ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum on energy cooperation, including in the nuclear sphere.

"I am glad to visit your country, your capital at the invitation of the Government of Bulgaria, at the invitation of the Prime Minister. And to thank. It is very important that in this moral crisis in Europe, Bulgaria is a defender. And that it is an opponent of the policy of genocide that Russia is pursuing against our country, against our independence and freedom and against our people," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Zelensky expressed understanding for the different attitudes towards Russia in different countries.

"The attitude towards Russia in different countries is not unambiguous. This is life. The explanation is that people often find it difficult to acknowledge the reality of evil. Especially when they have not faced it," he said.

The Ukrainian President reiterated that times are not peaceful, that Ukraine is fighting for its land, people and sovereignty.

"When a few thousand kilometres separate them from Russian artillery that mercilessly burns cities and villages in Ukraine, or when people cannot feel the sleepless nights and days without peace because of incessant sirens from Russian terror with missiles and drones - then it is easier to dismiss the thought of the evil committed by Russia."

Defence and security cooperation is among the most important topics discussed by the Ukrainian President and cabinet.

"Today we agreed to significantly intensify cooperation in the defence sector. We will be sure to also share with our partners that our common strength has become greater, we discussed defence and the assistance Bulgaria provides to our country in more detail with the details of the handover of the defence package," he said.

Talks will continue on the medical treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian military personnel in the country. Zelensky invited our country to join the work on the peace formula proposed by him.

"I am personally grateful for one more thing. About the peace formula - I informed the Prime Minister about its implementation. I would like to note Bulgaria's readiness to take part in these efforts. However, Bulgaria's ambassador to Ukraine has not yet been appointed and today I will talk to the President of Bulgaria, I hope we will soon be able to work on the peace formula again," he said.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov reaffirmed the Bulgarian government's support for Ukraine in its fight against the military aggression of the Russian Federation.

"It is a pleasure for me to welcome you in Sofia and to personally express my support and that of the Bulgarian government for Ukraine's struggle against the Russian Federation. 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 to Euro-Atlantic security and security in the region. Russia must withdraw unconditionally from Ukrainian territory within its internationally recognised borders and should bear its responsibility, including for war crimes," Denkov said.

The PM reminded that Bulgaria had provided aid to Ukraine in the first days of the war.

"From the very first days of the conflict, Petkov and Vassilev committed themselves at the European level to the Ukrainian cause. The Petkov cabinet involved the EU in helping Ukraine, politically, humanitarian aid and militarily. Bulgaria became a second home for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees. The aid provided is determined by three decisions of the Bulgarian Parliament. It has become particularly strong in recent months. We have supported all sanctions packages against Russia.

Denkov also said that Ukraine's place is in NATO and the EU.

"Ukraine's future lies at the heart of European security in NATO and the EU. We will actively assist Ukraine in its integration. We are also ready to participate in Ukraine's post-war rebuild in energy and transport infrastructure."

Denkov reminded that the largest Bulgarian community abroad is in Ukraine and the protection of their rights is a priority.

"Ensuring the rights of the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine remains a consistent Bulgarian priority. We believe that the legitimate interests of our compatriots will be addressed in the development of a comprehensive legal framework for minorities in Ukraine," said Acad. Nikolai Denkov.

Asked by BNT whether he had requested heavy weapons from Bulgaria, President Zelensky did not directly answer whether such talks were underway, but said:

BNT: Have you discussed with the Bulgarian government, are you in the process of discussing the provision of additional military-technical assistance through heavy weapons - systems, missile launchers, other types of heavy weapons, and what would you say to those people in Bulgarian society who are opposed to this, believing that this somehow brings us closer to the conflict?

Volodymyr Zelensky: We are grateful for the defence support that Bulgaria is giving us. It is absolutely public. You see how the government supports this and communicates it. And then the Parliament votes on it. This is a defence package. It is not for offence. This is a package for parents to protect their children. 200,000 children, can you imagine that number? What else can I say? We don't know where 200,000 children are. Some of them have been deported, some of them are in the occupied territories. We do not know which of them are alive. Is it not enough to help us defend ourselves?

Prime Minister Denkov also said that serious talks had started on whether the two reactors intended for the Belene nuclear power plant project could be used in Ukraine.

"There are a lot of technical parameters, there are a lot of financial parameters, economic parameters that need to be discussed, but the conversation is essentially about the large equipment that could be used in Ukraine if we manage to hold these negotiations and come to an agreement on how this deal could be implemented," he said.

MPs adopt decision to instruct Energy Minister to negotiate with Ukraine for sale of two nuclear reactors intended for Belene NPP

The Prime Minister expressed his expectation that the two would see each other at the NATO summit in Vilnius on 11 and 12 July. Key decisions on Euro-Atlantic support for Kiev are expected at the Summit.

President Radev and President Zelensky appeared to be at polar positions on the need to provide arms to the Ukrainian army and on the end of the war. Radev expressed Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine, but reiterated his position that he does not support the supply of Bulgarian arms. In response to these words, Zelensky asked him how he would react if he were in his position.

President Radev expressed Bulgaria's solidarity with the Ukrainian people and recalled that on the first day he had condemned the aggression in Ukraine. He reminded that Bulgaria had lent a hand and was still helping thousands of Ukrainian refugees. Radev described the declaration on comprehensive assistance signed by the Ukrainian President and the Bulgarian Prime Minister as an important step in relations with Kiev.

"But I do not accept the provision of arms and ammunition, because as commander-in-chief I am responsible for ensuring that Bulgaria's defence capabilities are not weakened. Because the environment is alarming enough in our region. The risk to security and peace in Europe is growing, including the risk of radioactive contamination."

Radev: I do not support supply of Bulgarian arms for Ukraine. Zelensky: If you were in my place, what would you do?

Radev commented that the conflict in Ukraine is turning into an exhaustion, into a global clash, exacerbating social tensions. The Bulgarian President advocated consistent efforts for de-escalation, ceasefire and finding a solution through diplomacy.

“I still maintain that there is no military solution to this conflict and more and more weapons hardly lead to that solution," Bulgaria's President said.

In response to these words, the President of Ukraine said that what is happening in his country is not a conflict, but a war.

In response to these words, the President of Ukraine said that what is happening in his country is not a conflict, but a war.

"I am very grateful to the Parliament for its support with ammunition. The President said that he does not support this and he said it as commander-in-chief so that your army is not weakened. Or does he not support reinforcing Ukraine? Those are different things."

It is your right to express this position, but Ukrainians must defend themselves so that war does not come to Bulgaria, Poland or elsewhere, the Ukrainian President said.

"Your army and everything you have will be insufficient to fight Russia if it comes here. Not because you have a weak army, it is powerful, your people are good. A powerful army means first of all people. But it would be insufficient to fight a war against a country of 160 million people. If, God forbid, a tragedy were to happen and you were in my place, and if you were not helped with weapons by people who have common values ​​with you, what would you do? Would you say, 'Putin, take Bulgarian territories'? No, I am sure that as a real president you would not compromise your state, your sovereignty," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Zelensky expressed confidence that one day Ukraine will be a member of the EU and NATO, with which it shares common values.

"We would very much like Bulgaria to take part at the highest level in the peace formula and we count on there being unity on this issue. We would like it very much because we consider you as our true partners with historical ties."

For me, this is war categorically, President Radev replied.

"I believe that Ukraine has its place, I hope sooner in the EU, but my call is this at the moment - to hear the word victory. For any country that is at war it is an important word, perhaps the most important word, but we would like to hear more the word peace and the leading efforts to be towards achieving peace."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's last appearance in Sofia was at the National History Museum for a meeting with politicians, public figures and journalists. Zelensky also responded to a question from BNT about the change in Bulgaria's policy on arms supplies through third countries to direct supplies.

As part of the tradition, Volodymyr Zelensky delivers speeches to the Parliaments of the countries he visits. In Bulgaria, however, this tradition is being broken and this format is replacing it.

President Zelensky explained why he came here - because of shortages of arms and electricity. He also talked about the division in society into Russophiles and Russophobes and how politicians contribute to this division. He also commented on the dialogue with President Radev today and refuted the logic he shared with him that the Bulgarian army should not be disarmed.

Volodymyr Zelensky was greeted with applause in the Sun Hall of the National History Museum and spoke frankly and with his typical jokes.

Asked by BNT whether the change in Bulgaria's policy on arms supplies through third countries to direct supplies was decisive, Zelensky replied:

"Hesitation means more time. We must not lose two motivations - the first is within the country, because war is not fought in the trenches and we must take the initiative, secondly - we must not lose the motivation of partners. If we lose these two things, we lose the initiative on the battlefield.

I am here because of a shortage of weapons and electricity, the Ukrainian President explained simply and commented on Russian disinformation and the division in society:

"Society chooses its leaders, but they have no right to divide society, especially in times of challenges. As long as there is a war in Ukraine, the war will not go to another territory," Zelensky said.

Asked to comment on the dialogue with President Radev, Zelensky said:

"The very fact that you raise such a question and that it is shown on TV says that you are a democratic country. This is the most important thing - everyone has the right to a point of view," Zelensky said.

And then he refuted the Bulgarian President's logic that the Bulgarian army should not be disarmed.

"President Radev told me that the Bulgarian army's armaments cannot be reduced and that is the reason why he does not support arms for Ukraine. But your weapons will not be enough for anything. I don't want to humiliate anyone, I don't underestimate the Bulgarian army, we don't have enough weapons either. But logic doesn't work like that - whether there is less or more in the warehouses," Zelensky said.

Images by BGNES; Dessislava Kulelieva; BTA