Leader of Bulgarian party declares ‘claims’ to Southern Bessarabia: Ukraine reacts
Photo: Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the Vazrazhdane Bulgarian party (facebook.com/kostadin.eu)
The controversial leader of the Vazrazhdane (Revival) pro-Russian Bulgarian party, Kostadin Kostadinov, has fabricated "claims" of his country over part of the Odesa region. Such a statement promotes Kremlin narratives, according to Kostadinov on Facebook and the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria on Facebook.
What Kostadinov said
Kostadinov claimed that "Bulgarians make up the majority of the population in Southern Bessarabia (the southern part of the Odesa region)," and therefore, supposedly, "there is nothing more logical than returning the region back to Bulgaria."
"Ukraine is collapsing, and at the future peace congress, which will decide the fate of the so-called failed Ukrainian statehood, Bulgaria must assert its claims over Bulgarian Bessarabia," the controversial politician added.
Embassy’s reaction
The Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria called on the Bulgarian leadership to condemn Kostadinov’s statements, accusing him of undermining international law, distorting historical facts, and encouraging the redrawing of borders in Europe.
"The statements by the leader of the Vazrazhdane party regarding territorial claims on Ukraine are unacceptable for a politician of an EU member state and confirm his systematic promotion of Kremlin narratives," the diplomatic mission emphasized.
Kostadinov is openly supported by Russia
In 2023, Russia's Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, openly supported Kostadin Kostadinov in the elections. She stated that if she were a voter, she would vote for the Vazrazhdane party.
Such a statement violated the Vienna Convention, as ambassadors are not allowed to interfere in the electoral process.
