President Radev: Changing the Defence Minister in the midst of a military crisis is a risk

Changing the defence minister in the middle of a military crisis in the neighbourhood is a risk for which the responsibility lies with the ruling coalition, President Rumen Radev's position says on February 28. In choosing the minister, the majority should be guided by the understanding of sovereignty, professional competence and the ability to defend the Bulgarian interest, the head of state added.

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“In a few days, on March 3, Bulgaria will celebrate its National Day,” Radev said in an address to the nation later in the day. The bones of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, who fought side by side in the Russo-Turkish war and died for Bulgaria’s freedom, rest in Bulgarian soil,” the address said.

Radev said that the “ongoing fratricide” between Russia and Ukraine is “particularly painful” to the Bulgarian people. Nothing can justify the victims, the destruction and the immense suffering. Normal people cannot forgive the sight of dead people, of mothers fleeing with their children, of broken lives.

“The people of Ukraine do not deserve such a fate. Neither do the grieving families of the fallen Russian soldiers. Solidarity, as well as energetic and overall action are called for to cease this reckless aggression as soon as possible. Every day of this war is a defeat for both Ukraine and Russia. Peace cannot be achieved through aggression or trampling on sovereignty,” the Bulgarian President stressed.

In relation to this, the presidents of Eastern European countries have called on the EU to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU accession. “Ukraine has the right to exist and the right to have future in united Europe,” Radev said.

We should be under no illusions. The consequences of the war in Ukraine will be grave, not only for those participating in it but for Europe as well, particularly for Bulgaria, as its energy sector is highly dependent, and the conflict will deepen the energy crisis, Bulgarian President stressed. He expects the Bulgarian government to step up and introduce support measures to reduce the effects of the impending crisis ranging from strengthening energy security to guaranteeing food sovereignty.

Changing the Minister of Defence in the midst of a military crisis in the neighbourhood is a risk for which the responsibility lies with the ruling coalition. In choosing a minister, the majority must be guided by an understanding of sovereignty, professional competence and the ability to defend the Bulgarian interest, Radev said.

I expect efforts to continue for the evacuation of our compatriots from Ukraine. I would like to thank all the municipalities, companies and citizens who are offering shelter, food and work to the people in distress.

Bulgarians have always been tolerant and compassionate, and this difficult moment again shows the maturity of our people.

I believe that this crisis will save us from political pettiness and make us wiser and more united as a society, the President said.

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On March 3, 2022, Bulgaria marks 144 years since its liberation from Ottoman rule.

On this date in 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano was signed, which put an end to the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878 and marked the re-establishment of Bulgaria as a sovereign state.

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