Dispatch of military aid to Ukraine begins, criticism from the Head of State and parties in the National Assembly

The logistics operation to provide military and military-technical assistance to Ukraine has been launched, the Ministry of Defence announced on December 23. It is planned jointly with NATO military authorities and it is not known how long it will last. President Rumen Radev, who was urged by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) to veto the law on ratification of the agreement with Kiev, said that a veto on an international treaty already signed was pointless. The BSP and “Vazrazhdane” party will refer the Parliament's decision to the Constitutional Court.

The operation is ongoing. How long it will last and what we give - remains a secret. However, the Ministry of Defence is proposing a change in the text of the treaty with Ukraine so that any future aid to that country will go through a decision of the National Assembly.

The logistics operation has started in practice after the State Gazette this morning promulgated President Rumen Radev's decree on the law on the ratification of the treaty between Sofia and Kiev.

BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said that by not vetoing it, the President had taken the risk of dragging Bulgaria into the war and had betrayed the left-wing. And he replied that the Ministry of Defence had done its job - suggesting that any aid to Kiev should go through a parliamentary decision.

BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said that by not imposing a veto, the President took the risk of involving Bulgaria in the war and betrayed the left-wing people. And he replied that the Ministry of Defence had done its job - by suggesting that any aid to Kiev should go through a parliamentary decision.

The logistics operation being prepared to transport the weapons, equipment and ammunition from Bulgaria to Ukraine has begun.

"The operation is underway. We have planned this operation with NATO military authorities. It has been approved by the Minister of Defence. What is important? The important thing is to prepare what is planned, to palletize it, to transport it to the places from where it has to be transported with a focus on safety, security," said Admiral Emil Eftimov, Chief of Defence.

The decision on what to give Kiev was made after analysing the development of the fighting in Ukraine and a number of other factors, the defence chief explained.

"The conclusions of the course of the fighting in Ukraine were taken into account. And this report is not only based on the tactics and techniques used, but also on the logistic support system, the systems of the state and capabilities of the defence industry both in the country and in our NATO and EU allies," Admiral Emil Eftimov added.

To ensure that there are no fears that the National Assembly will remain isolated from the mechanism for providing further military assistance to Ukraine, the Ministry is proposing a supplementary agreement to the one already concluded, so that MPs approve any new assistance.

"All follow-up actions in connection with the implementation of the National Assembly ‘s decision on the provision of military and military-technical assistance will be brought to the attention of the National Assembly so that it can make its informed decision," said Kateryna Gramatikova, deputy defence minister.

The military has denied that arms from the military aid are already in Ukraine.

"The next request that we will address to the National Assembly within the framework of this agreement to provide assistance to Ukraine are the much requested, much needed electricity generators for the Ukrainian people," Kateryna Gramatikova said.

BSP and “Vazrazhdane” party reiterated that they will collect signatures to refer the decision to the Constitutional Court, with each of the political forces calling on the other for support because they do not have enough signatures individually. Socialist party leader, Kornelia Ninova, criticised the head of state for not vetoing and promulgating the decree on military aid.

"We turn to President Radev - you owe an explanation to the public. Why did you take the risk of dragging Bulgaria into the war? You betrayed the left-wing people, you betrayed the socialists who are for peace and who in two campaigns nominated you and made every effort to get you elected - you for President and Iliana Iotova for Vice President," said Kornelia Ninova, BSP leader.

"Here are the signatures of "Vazrazhdane". We need 21 more. BSP has these signatures. All that remains is to put them under this request. Because the President has until 29 December to veto, because he can do this thing or he himself can appeal to the Constitutional Court, but we all know that he will not do this," said Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of "Vazrazhdane" party.

President Rumen Radev responded that it would be pointless to veto an international treaty already signed.

"The warlords in the National Assembly decided on military aid to Ukraine with a huge majority and obliged the caretaker government to conclude a treaty with Ukraine for such aid.

According to the legislation, the veto cannot change the texts of an international treaty already concluded, i.e. the veto is absolutely pointless. It is impossible to appeal to the Constitutional Court - you know the terms in which the Constitutional Court operates - after ratification of an international treaty. That is, the Constitutional Court has absolutely nothing to rule on," said President Rumen Radev .

Radev added that while Kornelia Ninova was pondering, the Ministry of Defence has done its job by revising the agreement with Ukraine, which will remove the possibility for the government to take decisions on new military aid to Ukraine without the Parliament's sanction.

"In the new revision of the treaty this paragraph will not be there and this has been agreed with the Ukrainian side. And this will be submitted as a variant and ready draft treaty to the National Assembly immediately, at the beginning of the new year. So, I hope that Mrs. Ninova will not betray the socialists and vote for the change in the treaty, according to which no government will be able to make decisions on military aid to Ukraine alone, this will be done only with the sanctions of the Parliament," said Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria will not give aircraft, air defence systems and tanks to the Ukrainian side, Radev explained. And he called on the National Assembly to urgently consider the investment plan-programme submitted by the Ministry of Defence with priority projects for the modernisation of the army. Because the proposed replacement equipment is even older than ours.

Чуйте последните новини, където и да сте!
Последвайте ни във Facebook и Instagram
Следете и канала на БНТ в YouTube
Вече може да ни гледате и в TikTok
Намерете ни в Google News