Bulgaria steps up surveillance of eastern border, referendums organised by Russia will not be recognised

The Bulgarian army is in constant combat readiness and the surveillance and reconnaissance along the eastern border is enhanced, caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on September 23.

The announced partial mobilisation and the so-called referendums in Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions are another attempt to legitimise Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister and former Bulgarian ambassador to Ukraine Kostadin Kodzhabashev told the regular briefing of the Foreign Ministry.

In his words, EU and NATO partners should step up support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the so-called referendums and their results will not be internationally recognised.

"The latest news from Moscow, of course, is not very pleasant. They speak of an escalation of all our previous concerns, and combined with the nuclear rhetoric already being uttered and the so-called "referendums", these rather disturbing developments reinforce the need for strong and consistent support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Minister Stoyanov has already stated that there is no specific military threat to our country, which is indeed the case. Yesterday I spoke to our Ambassador in Moscow, Mr Kristin. We have no information at this stage as to whether Bulgarian citizens residing in Russia would wish to return. When it comes to Bulgarian citizens, whether they reside on the territory of Ukraine or Russia - of course we will accept them back to the country," Deputy Minister Kodzhabashev assured.

The Deputy Minister did not answer what is discussed in the Seventh EU sanctions package against Russia. The government is to prepare a mechanism for the admission of Russian citizens who would seek status in the country, he explained.

Caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said that security at our eastern border had been reinforced. He said there was no way the President could convene a Consultative Council on National Security on Russia as there was no functioning Parliament.

"The Bulgarian army is on constant combat readiness. That is, there is nothing unusual in the army. What we have done - we have increased surveillance in the eastern part of the country. Consultative Council on National Security can be convened with a functioning parliament in the country, now the National Security Council under the Council of Ministers can be convened. For now there are no such indications, especially since mobilisation is a long and protracted process," Dimitar Stoyanov said.

European Union foreign ministers have already adopted a declaration in which they strongly condemned Russia's escalation of the conflict and reiterated that they are ready to support Ukraine as long as necessary. The EU is currently preparing a seventh package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.