Bulgarian government to respond to Russian ambassador's recent statement

There will be a diplomatic response to the the recent statement of the Russian ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, said on March 23.

"It was discussed at an operational meeting - there will be a diplomatic response in one form or another to the recent statement of the Russian ambassador. It is not acceptable in any way for a foreign ambassador to speak on behalf of the Bulgarian people against the Bulgarian government," Petkov said and added that the the public will be informed when the measures are implemented.

The government's reaction comes after Russian Ambassador to Sofia Eleonora Mitrofanova said on air on Russia 24 television channel that the Bulgarian people do not support either the rhetoric or the government's actions against Russia.

According to Mitrofanova, "the people of Bulgaria do not support their government's rhetoric and actions regarding the special operation in Ukraine." The ambassador mentioned that during Pentagon head Lloyd Austin's visit to Bulgaria, there were anti-NATO rallies in support of Russia.