Sofia (EFE).- The Ukrainian president, Volodímir Zelenski, has arrived today in Bulgaria on an official visit, during which he will meet with his Bulgarian counterpart, the pro-Russian Rumen Radev, and will discuss support for his country in the face of the Russian invasion or entry into NATO, as he himself announced.
“I will hold important talks with the Prime Minister, Nikolay Denkov, I will meet with President Rumen Radev, and with government officials, parliamentarians, politicians and journalists,” Zelenski said on the social network Twitter.
In that message, he announced that he will speak about support for his country’s defense, Euro-Atlantic integration, next week’s NATO summit and his proposed road map to end hostilities, which calls for the unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops that have invaded Ukraine.
Bulgaria supports Ukraine’s entry into NATO
The Bulgarian government already approved yesterday a draft joint declaration with Ukraine in which it supports the entry of this country into NATO “when conditions allow”.
In that statement, Bulgaria confirms its “strong political support for the country in its fight against Russian aggression to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Parliament is also expected to debate a proposal to support Ukraine’s entry into the Alliance, put forward by the Europeanist party We Continue with Change, and by the populist-conservative GERB, partners in the Executive.
In addition to meeting with the Prime Minister and the head of Foreign Affairs, Mariya Gabriel, the Ukrainian president will maintain contacts with the parties that support Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
The only formations in Parliament that do not support the declaration are the Bulgarian Socialist Party, heir to the communist party and with pro-Russian positions, and the ultranationalist Vazrazhdane, which openly supports Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.
Whether or not to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia has been one of the factors that has polarized Bulgarian politics in recent months and has even helped to block the formation of a government several times, forcing the holding of five elections in two years.
Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union, and has supported Ukraine by sending and selling military equipment.