Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bulgaria on Thursday to seek the nation's support for Ukraine's NATO bid. During the visit, Zelenskyy is also likely to get Russian-made reactors from Bulgaria under a fresh energy deal between the countries.
According to reports, Zelenskyy discussed military aid with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and also addressed the Bulgarian parliament. Zelenskyy sought the country's support for Ukraine's bid to join Western groups, especially the NATO and European Union. Bulgaria's parliament expressed its support for Ukraine's entry into NATO after the war is over.
Denkov pledged Bulgaria's support for Ukraine's NATO entry. “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 for Euro-Atlantic security in the region," Denkov said. He added, “Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognised borders and should bear its responsibility.”
During his brief visit at the invitation of Bulgaria's new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Zelenskyy discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraine's right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.
“Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred,” Zelenskyy said. “This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules,” he added.
According to reports, the countries signed a MoU on energy cooperation. Under the deal, Bulgaria will be selling equipment-- two reactors, four steam generators and four circulation pumps-- from the unfinished Belene Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine. TASS agency reported that the equipment could not be used to complete the Belene NPP construction project as Bulgaria denies Russian specialists access due to Western sanctions.
The Bulgarian parliament also approved a declaration supporting Ukraine NATO's application once the war is over. According to the declaration, the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe is Russia's full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognised borders of the affected sovereign states.
The declaration, which was backed by a majority in Parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself. The document was opposed by the Socialist Party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.
Later in the day, Zelenskyy faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgaria's largely ceremonial president, Rumen Radev. “I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it,” Radev said. He called for consistent efforts to de-escalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.
Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion. Large parts of the population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.
Zelenskyy was expected in Prague later Thursday for talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
(With PTI inputs.)
