President Rumen Radev: Currently there is no direct military threat to Bulgaria, Russia's operation is unacceptable

President Rumen Radev described Russia's military operation in Ukraine as unacceptable.

"A full-scale conventional operation of the Russian Federation is underway with all possible forces and means to strike critical infrastructures throughout the territory of Ukraine, which is absolutely unacceptable. It is unacceptable in the 21st century to fly bombers into Europe and strike a neighbouring country. At the moment there is no direct military threat to Bulgaria's security, but there are risks."

Early this morning, the head of state convened an urgent meeting of state institutions in connection with the military actions in Ukraine. The meeting was attended by National Assembly Speaker Nikola Minchev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, relevant cabinet ministers, and members of the leadership of the services and the Bulgarian army.

The President assured that work will be done to evacuate our compatriots there. The number of people who have asked to be evacuated from Ukraine by the end of the meeting with the President exceeds 4,000, Rumen Radev said. He assured that Bulgaria would also grant asylum to Ukrainian citizens seeking protection.

"I would like to address all Bulgarians in Ukraine and all Ukrainian citizens seeking asylum - the country is open to them. We will do our best to bring them safely to Bulgaria and provide them the assistance they need," Rumen Radev said.

After the meeting on Febriary 24, Rumen Radev pointed out that Bulgaria assesses the risks concerning the air and sea routes, energy routes and the whole supply system. All possible options are being sought to ensure that there is no disruption of energy supplies of gas, oil, food and essential goods that concern us.

Work is being done on all alternative supply routes, and action is being taken to protect our cyber security.

Bulgaria will actively protect its secutiry, consultations are underway within NATO, Radev added.