President Radev: There is much resistance in Bulgaria against the fight against corruption

President Rumen Radev on February 14 was in the village of Ustina, Plovdiv district, on the occasion of the feast day of St. Tryphon (Trifon Zarezan) , which is celebrated by vine growers and wine makers. He commented on topical issues.

The President said that his position is clear and he is firmly opposed to sending weapons from the Bulgarian army reserves to the war zone.

"From the very first hours of the war in Ukraine, Bulgaria stated a clear position and strongly condemned the Kremlin's aggression against a sovereign state. I continue to believe that this conflict has no military solution, it can only be achieved with an immediate ceasefire and dialogue," the Head of State said.

Rumen Radev further added:

"As for some calls of former MPs, let the parties of war first win the elections, form a government and take responsibility for a decision of the Bulgarian Armed Forces to give weapons to Ukraine," Radev said.

"People who understand nothing about warfare are doing their best to get us involved in processes of escalation that they cannot control. You see that the war is entering a phase of complete exhaustion and it is involving us all.” the Head of State further said.

He recalled that the caretaker government implemented the decision of the 48th National Assembly on military aid to Ukraine:

"And there it is very clearly written that subsequent assistance should be in line with Bulgarian capabilities. The enormous destructive potential of this conflict, its escalation, the deterioration of security in our region requires the caretaker government to guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the country. It means not weakening our defence potential, but preserving and developing it."

According to the President, the 48th National Assembly dissolved itself out of fear - fear of forming a government and taking responsibility for running the country at a difficult time.

"It sabotaged the justice reform, it sabotaged our European integration, it did not adopt laws that would have eased and opened our path to Schengen and the euro area. This National Assembly adopted a fateful decision without any analysis and risk assessment. It did not accept the program proposed by the caretaker government for a true modernisation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces," Radev added.

Regarding the list of Bulgarians sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act, the head of state pointed out that there is much resistance inside the country against any anti-corruption efforts and any help from outside is welcome.

Modern days corruption knows no borders and is an international phenomenon, the President noted, adding that laws should be adopted to guarantee an effective fight against corruption. He urged the political parties not only to adopt them, but also to commit themselves to the implementation of these laws - that this fight against corruption should not be just election talk.

Rumen Radev joined the traditional procession to the vineyards of the village of Ustina and participated in the pruning the vines.

Vice President Iliana Iotova is today a guest at the Suhindol Municipality's celebration on the Day of Vine Growers and Wine Producers, the Presidency said.