Ukraine insists on continuing waging war with Russia, Bulgaria’s pro-Russian President, Rumen Radev, said on Friday – a statement that saw a quick response from the Ukrainian Embassy in Sofia, although they did not mention the president directly.
Radev, who told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine was shying away from a diplomatic solution to the conflict, is known for his pro-Kremlin narrative and for being against sending military aid to Ukraine.
Until recently, the country was governed by a caretaker government appointed by Radev for almost a year. But now there is a sitting parliament and a cabinet with the mandate of the pro-European coalition We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria.
“Ukraine insists on fighting this war. The bill is being paid by the whole of Europe. This war has many dimensions, not only military, but also economic, social, and political. It is a threat and a risk for the whole of Europe,” Radev said on Friday without mentioning Putin and Russia.
“The ones who govern us are frantically trying to convince us that by sending military aid, they are increasing our security. On the contrary – we all see that this conflict is deepening. Categorically, the victims are becoming more and more. The more weapons this conflict absorbs, the more victims, the longer this war will be fought,” continued Radev.
Later, the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia came out with a position that only the followers of the Kremlin regime call the war in Ukraine a conflict. Radev was not mentioned by name.
“The Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria categorically states that Ukraine is making all possible efforts to restore peace. The Ukrainian people, starting in 2014, heroically defended their territorial integrity and state sovereignty. Russia as a terrorist state continues its armed aggression against Ukraine, intensifying threats and nuclear blackmail against a democratic international community,” the position reads.
It says that blaming Ukraine, which was treacherously attacked by its neighbour, for the ongoing war is one of Europe’s most widespread supporting theses of Russian propaganda and hybrid war.
The embassy also says that providing defence funds to Ukraine does not lead to increased casualties and destruction but means more saved lives of ordinary citizens, their families and children, and their homes.
“The provision of safety guarantees to Ukraine – these are also guarantees for the safety of Europe, including Bulgaria,” the Ukrainian embassy is emphatic.
The embassy also thanked Bulgaria “for providing aid and continuous support in the political, military-technical, financial and humanitarian spheres”.
“When President Radev had his opinion – when he signed common European positions on Russia’s war in Ukraine or when he repeats some Russian supports that have nothing to do with what the members of the European Union and NATO present as a position.” Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov commented on Radev’s words a few hours later.
(Krassen Nikolov | EURACTIV.bg)
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