Statement by the President after a meeting with the state institutions on the military operations in Ukraine

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

I have called an emergency consultative meeting with the executive, the speaker of parliament and the security services to address the situation in Ukraine. As you know, a full-scale conventional operation by the Russian Federation is underway with all available forces and means, with strikes on critical infrastructure and important military sites across Ukraine. That is totally inadmissible. In the 21st century Europe, to have strategic bombers and missiles flying, sea and airborne assaults and strike against a sovereign state. That is totally inadmissible. We have assessed from the the information of all services that there is no imminent military threat to the security of the Republic of Bulgaria. But there are a number of risks, and the overall security situation and security environment in Europe and globally have now changed completely. 

 

We are currently making an analysis, and the government is continuing to assess the risks to air and sea routes, energy routes, the entire supply system that affects the whole of society. These analyses will continue today and tomorrow, looking at all possible options to avoid a disruption in the supply of natural gas, and more importantly of oil, the food supply, the delivery of all the necessities that vitally concern us. All kinds of alternative routes and shipments are being considered and worked on. Actions are under way to protect Bulgaria in terms of cyber security. Very importantly, Bulgaria will actively work to protect itself within NATO and within the national and collective security system in general. Consultations are already in progress in an allied format within NATO. The plight of our compatriots in Ukraine is extremely important to us, and so far, in the course of the meeting, the number of people who have requested and are requesting evacuation already exceeds four thousand. We discussed the likely options for action and all the commitments of the relevant ministries. We will do our utmost to evacuate our compatriots. 

 

I would like to address all Bulgarians in Ukraine, as well as all Ukrainian citizens who wish to seek asylum in Bulgaria. We are open and will do everything possible not only to transport them safely to Bulgaria, but also to provide all the necessary assistance here.

 

Bulgaria continues to participate in all EU and NATO formats to seek together a collective response to this blatant challenge to European security, and we will keep on doing our best to ensure the safety of Bulgarian citizens.