Bulgarian Foreign Minister Genchovska met with her Ukrainian counterpart Kuleba

Bulgaria once again expressed its support to the Ukrainian state, Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska said after her meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Sofia on April 19.

"What is important not only for Dmytro, but also for the whole Ukrainian people, is to feel that the whole world democratic community supports Ukraine. Bulgaria is a small country and we are trying to help them according to our capabilities," the Bulgarian Foreign Minister said.

Genchovska added that more than 91,000 Ukrainian citizens have been admitted to Bulgarian territory and more than 80,000 of them already have temporary protection status.

The Bulgarian Red Cross has so far provided 1.5 million euros in humanitarian aid. A further €185,000 has been distributed to various humanitarian organisations.

For his part, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba thanked the Bulgarian people and government for their support and assistance to women and children fleeing the war.

Kuleba: I thank the Bulgarian people and the Bulgarian government for hosting Ukrainian refugees

"We are well aware of the touching human approach to Ukrainian women and children who fled the horror of war and now live in Bulgaria. With all my heart I thank Bulgaria. Since the beginning of the war, Bulgaria has clearly and consistently supported Ukraine, including in its relations with the EU and NATO. And I am sure that Bulgaria does this also because it understands that Ukraine's security means security for Bulgaria and all the countries of the Black Sea. We are not only fighting for our safety, we are also fighting for yours, so that you never have to face Russian attempts to influence and damage your country," Kuleba said.

He pledged to do his utmost to deepen economic ties and cooperation between Bulgaria and Ukraine after peace is restored in the region and to seek projects of mutual interest.

"I hope that the day will come when peace in the region will be restored and we will return to trade, cultural exchange and tourism and more and more Ukrainians will visit Bulgaria as tourists, not as refugees," Kuleba added.

Today Dmytro Kuleba will also meet with Prime Minister Kirill Petkov. He is also scheduled to meet with representatives of the political parties in the Parliament.

On Wednesday, Kuleba will hold talks with President Rumen Radev, President’s office said.