The conflict in Ukraine does not have a military solution but requires consistent efforts for de-escalation, ceasefire and search for a peaceful solution through diplomacy, Head of State Rumen Radev said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Bulgarian President received his Ukrainian counterpart who is visiting our country at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

 

Rumen Radev expressed his solidarity with the suffering of the people of Ukraine and the victims of the war, recalling that from the very first day of its outbreak he had condemned aggression and war as a means of solving problems. In the first and most difficult months, Bulgaria lent a hand to thousands of Ukrainian citizens seeking salvation from the conflict, the Bulgarian President said, adding that many of the Ukrainian citizens who came to this country are still under the protection of the Bulgarian state, which continues to provide humanitarian aid.

 

The Bulgarian head of state pointed out that the declaration signed with the Prime Minister on Bulgaria's comprehensive support to Ukraine is an important step for the development of relations between the two countries, but stressed that he would be open with his counterpart, as in the meeting held between them in Brussels earlier this year. I do not accept the provision of arms and ammunition, especially from the reserves of the Bulgarian army, President Radev said.

 

As president and commander-in-chief, I have clear responsibilities not to weaken the defence capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces because the security environment is alarming enough in our region, the Bulgarian head of state said. He pointed out that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is expanding its territorial scope and acquiring new dimensions, while the fighting is becoming increasingly fierce and more and more people are dying, including Bulgarians from the large Bulgarian community in Ukraine. The Bulgarian President also highlighted the risks to peace and security in Europe, including from radioactive contamination, which are growing by the day, not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole of Europe. 

 

Radev also pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine is turning into a war of attrition, into a global economic clash, which affects the economies not only of Ukraine but of all European countries and exacerbates social tensions.  The head of state expressed hope that peace would be achieved soon, which is of particular importance for Bulgaria in light of the deep historical and cultural ties between the Bulgarian and Ukrainian people. 

 

Right now we hear the word 'victory', but we would like to hear more the word 'peace' and the guiding efforts should be to achieve peace, the President said at the beginning of the meeting, adding that in his view not all means of diplomacy have been used yet to resolve the conflict.