EU leaders endorsed a plan for sending 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine

Bulgaria can export projectiles, but will require information on whether they go to Ukraine, President Rumen Radev said in Brussels on March 23 and confirmed that Bulgaria will not participate in the joint European procurement of ammunition for Ukraine, but is interested in introducing technologies for the production of 155 mm howitzers.

Military aid to Ukraine is the main topic of the EU leaders' meeting.

Bulgaria supports joint defence procurement in principle, but not when it comes to military aid to Ukraine, Radev said ahead of the meeting. At the same time, the country is ready to produce more finished goods and sell them to third countries, but it will be their responsibility if these military projectiles go to Ukraine.

EU leaders also adopted conclusions on Ukraine late this afternoon. They approved the provision of 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine over the next 12 months. They also said that they are ready to provide missiles if Kiev needs them.

Rumen Radev believes that the visit of EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to Bulgaria is a recognition of the traditions, experience and capacity of the Bulgarian defence industry. According to him, Bulgaria is interested in producing more projectiles, but not for Ukraine.

President Radev: Bulgaria is committed to producing projectiles for the needs of our partners, not for Ukraine

"Bulgaria is committed to producing projectiles for the needs of our partners and allies, if they request it, but not for Ukraine", said Radev.

Radev said countries that buy Bulgarian shells should inform our country whether they will provide them to Ukraine.

"This caretaker government has a clear position - I expect and urge the next Parliament to put the enhancement of Bulgaria's defence capability first and to be clearly aware that the biggest responsibility of this Parliament is for Bulgaria's security first and foremost. If the Parliament again calls for the supply of arms to Ukraine by the Bulgarian army, let this Parliament have the courage to form a regular government and let it bear the responsibility through the Bulgarian citizens," the President said.

Radev said Europe highly appreciates Bulgaria's efforts to tackle illegal migration and the proposal to set up an international task force in the country to fight illegal trafficking.

"We have had talks with Prime Minister Rutte, Chancellor Nehammer, the Council and all other partners. For me, in October, if we implement all the important steps and the legislation is very important, Bulgaria will be able to join Schengen," he said.

Radev believes that Bulgaria is beginning to play a strategic role in Europe as a distributor of gas from various eastern countries. At the end of April, the Azerbaijani President will be in Sofia to sign a memorandum.

The President commented that Bulgaria has not given up the funds from the Just Transition Fund for this year, as announced by EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira a few days ago. According to Radev, there was a misunderstanding and the country will submit the necessary projects for the three coal regions - Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik - by the end of the year in order to receive 800 million euros from the fund.