PM Petkov from the meeting of the European leaders: Zelensky joined from a bunker saying "I don't know if I will see you again"

European Union leaders approved new sanctions against Russia at an emergency meeting in Brussels. They cover the financial sector, energy and transport, dual-use goods and visa policy.

The European leaders had an emotional conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their emergency meeting last night, Prime Minister Kirill Petkov told BNT from Brussels on February 25. He reaffirmed the EU's united position on Russia.

Zelensky has contacted them from the bunker where he is sheltering with his family, saying he may not be alive in the next 48 hours.

"No one expected such a swift and massive attack with casualties in Ukraine. A third of the Ukrainian army has already been destroyed, there have been explosions all over the country," Prime Minister Petkov said.

He added: "It is clear that there will not be a NATO-Russia military conflict, and there are probably a few days left before Ukraine falls."

"Europe's position is united. Our task is to make the price of sanctions for Russia so that it influences those who make decisions and those who support them," Kirill Petkov said

The Prime Minister stressed that non-intervention in a military way in Ukraine is a fact.

"Putin should know - we are all working together in one voice and every action has a price. We will all work together against Russia's hybrid attacks," Petkov added.

He said the issue of our energy security was discussed carefully.

"We spoke with Mitsotakis, energy security becomes a top priority. We have to be ready for any situation. We have to think about how the price of gas is linked to the price of electricity. If possible these two things should not go hand in hand. Households should not be affected," Petkov added.
"I am so unhappy that at the moment, after 11 years of construction, the gas connection with Greece, has not been made. We hope that Lukoil will continue to work with the same intensity. We have an assurance that there will be no stoppage of production," PM stressed.

He added that there was another gas plant in the Recovery Plan.

"We are further increasing Russia's influence in the gas sector. Now the solar capacities are Bulgarian energy. We have to understand that we have to be independent. Why do we want geothermal exploration. I am tired of feeling that we are caught in energy dependency."

As regards Bulgaria’s participation in NATO, Petkov commented thus:

"We are part of NATO. Coordination is done at NATO level. Optimization is looked at the system level, not country by country.

On the expected refugee wave, Petkov clarified these are not the migrants we are used to seeing.

"These are our relatives, a circle around Austria affects many Ukrainian cities. These are not people with unclear backgrounds. These are Europeans who have just had their airport blown up and are hiding in the subway. We are ready to welcome them," the prime minister assured.

Petkov is in Brussels for the extraordinary meeting of the Council of European Union leaders.

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