Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Bulgaria supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine

Bulgaria supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This is the foreign ministry's reaction to the bill voted by the Russian Duma to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics.

The reaction was announced by the Foreign Minister on February 16. She, together with the MPs from the relevant parliamentary committee, listened to the Ukrainian ambassador to Bulgaria about the situation in the country. The meeting went on for almost two hours and was held behind closed doors.

The Foreign Ministry's statement followed a note verbale received from the Ukrainian embassy. The text states that the Republic of Bulgaria:

• Unwaveringly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters;
• Supports Ukraine's European perspective;
• Does not recognize and condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea.
• Condemns the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation leading to an unprecedented escalation of military tensions in Europe to Cold War levels and calls for de-escalation.
• The actions for recognition of the independence of the so-called 'Lugansk People's Republic' and 'Donetsk People's Republic' are absolutely unacceptable and amount to a denunciation of the Minsk Agreements.

From Bulgaria, ambassador Vitaly Moskalenko asked for specific assistance, including defence weapons.

"Diplomatic efforts continue, you see they are at the highest level. But nevertheless, the escalation is not subsiding. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian side handed us today, February 16, a note of support for preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and especially the latest decisions of yesterday, upcoming decisions of the Russian Duma. The Foreign Ministry has already responded in support of Ukraine," said Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska

The Crisis Staff in the Foreign Ministry is also monitoring the situation of the Bulgarians in Ukraine.

"We are monitoring the situation, unfortunately we are really ready for any scenarios. Regarding the Bulgarians who are Ukrainian citizens, at the moment 68 persons are registered who have not declared their wish to be deported. I think that there are only two wishes, of two people who, if necessary, would agree to be included in a convoy," the foreign minister explained.

She also said NATO allies had no information to verify a Russian withdrawal from the border with Ukraine.

BNT: Is there any credible information to confirm a partial withdrawal of Russian forces from the border, is there any such agreement among NATO allies?

Minister Genchovska: Let's say rather no. In 2018 and in 2014, there were similar scenarios, this time we are really ready for any action, both NATO allies and the EU. Tomorrow there is an extraordinary European Council, which the Prime Minister will take part in. It will be on the subject of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador Vitaly Moskalenko called on Bulgaria for diplomatic and any other type of support that our country can provide at this time.

"There is no confirmed information regarding the withdrawal of any troops. I state this absolutely responsibly. On the contrary - as we observe the situation, the amount of Russian troops on the border of Ukraine, is increasing," he said.

Moskalenko pointed out that the information from Russia is part of its hybrid campaign, which has not stopped over the past 8 years. And he thanked Bulgaria.

"We are very grateful to the Republic of Bulgaria for absolutely unanimously stating constantly that it supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders, including maritime borders, as well as not recognising the annexation of Crimea," he said.

The ambassador also called on Bulgaria for specific material support:

"Defensive armaments, in principle there are in Bulgaria certain types of defensive armaments, but for example - elementary: bulletproof vests, helmets, means of communication," Moskalenko said.

It did not become clear whether Bulgaria had committed to such support.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today that Russia will stick to the Minsk agreements.