Bulgaria explains withdrawal from Coalition of Willing
Photo: Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova (Getty Images)
Bulgaria believes that peace in Ukraine can be achieved through diplomatic efforts, states Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova at a press conference in Kyiv on July 15.
Bulgaria explains its decision to leave the Coalition of the Willing
Petrova responded to journalists' questions about the reasons behind her country's withdrawal from the Coalition of the Willing.
According to her, supporting Ukraine requires work across several political tracks:
- Continued support for Ukraine,
- Effective economic measures against Russia,
- A diplomatic track that would bring the parties to the negotiating table.
Petrova added that Bulgaria will support all diplomatic efforts, as well as the EU's sanctions policy.
Energy assistance for Ukraine
The politician assured that Bulgaria would continue to contribute to Ukraine's energy security ahead of the upcoming winter.
She said that Bulgaria is located at the crossroads of several critically important routes that allowed it to support Ukraine by supplying gas and other energy sources, adding that this was one of the areas the country was actively working on.
Bulgaria welcomes move toward Drone Deal
Petrova welcomed the cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of drone production announced on July 15.
She added that Bulgaria had a great deal of interest in this area and would also like to develop it in a bilateral format. However, if a relevant European framework already existed, the country could move forward within that framework.
Earlier, it was reported that Bulgaria had withdrawn from the Coalition of the Willing supporting Ukraine and halted military and financial assistance. The announcement was made by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on July 14.
Russian Patriarch Kirill once again avoided being included in the EU sanctions list. Bulgaria's position reportedly played a role in the decision.
Radev claims that the West will not be able to counter Russia with conventional means. He believes that the actions of Ukraine's allies significantly increase the risk of escalation and a nuclear response from Russia.
