Prime Minister Kiril Petkov explained why Bulgaria is not expelling the Russian ambassador

Prime Minister, Kiril Petkov, on April 8, answered journalist’s question in Parliament regarding the actions of Bulgaria towards the Russian ambassador, Eleonora Mitrofanova.

He said that, so far, Mitrofanova‘s conduct was totally improper for a diplomat. He recalled that Bulgaria has already expelled ten Russian diplomats and made a few remarks to Mitrofanova. Bulgaria also summoned its Ambassador to Moscow back for consultations, which in the language of diplomats means that Russia should have done the same, Petkov explained.

The next step would be to declare Mitrofanova persona non grata, however, doing so will be a full severance of relations, Petkov noted. “We believe it would be much more appropriate for such step to be taken at EU level,” he said.

“The truth is that, now the safety of our ship in Mariupol depends on Russia as well. There are fifteen Bulgarians whose life depends on this. One should make such decisions very carefully, considering the overall picture,” the Bulgarian Prime Minister said, highlighting that he would not put their rescue at risk.

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On April 6, in a declaration from the parliamentary rostrum, Democratic Bulgaria's Parliamentary Group demanded that the Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, be declared persona non grata. Later on that day, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev told a news briefing that before the end of the day the Bulgarian Government may come up with a position on declaring Mitrofanova persona non grata .

In an interview on Russia-24 television channel in March, Mitrofanova said that the Bulgarian people did not support the Bulgarian Government's rhetoric and actions against Russia.

Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska described the Russian Ambassador's words as "interference in Bulgaria's domestic politics".