06-07-2023 : Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, embarked on a visit to Bulgaria with the primary objective of seeking support for Ukraine’s bid to join NATO. During his visit, Zelenskyy also aimed to secure a deal to acquire Russian-made reactors from Bulgaria as part of an energy cooperation agreement between the two nations.
Reports indicate that Zelenskyy engaged in discussions with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov regarding military aid and delivered a speech at the Bulgarian parliament. He sought Bulgaria’s backing for Ukraine’s aspirations to join Western organizations, particularly NATO and the European Union. Bulgaria’s parliament expressed its support for Ukraine’s NATO membership but emphasized that this support would be provided after the war in Ukraine concludes.
Prime Minister Denkov assured Zelenskyy of Bulgaria’s consistent support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Denkov stressed the importance of an independent and sovereign Ukraine for Euro-Atlantic security in the region. He also called for Russia’s unconditional withdrawal within internationally recognized borders and emphasized the need for Russia to bear responsibility for its actions.
During his visit, Zelenskyy discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. After the meetings, he defended Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression and seek assistance in doing so. Zelenskyy condemned the occupation of Ukrainian territories, the atrocities committed by the aggressors, and the attempts to sow hatred among Ukrainian children.
As part of the visit, Ukraine and Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation. Under this agreement, Bulgaria will sell equipment from the unfinished Belene Nuclear Power Plant to Ukraine. The equipment includes two reactors, four steam generators, and four circulation pumps. It is worth noting that the equipment cannot be utilized to complete the construction of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant due to restrictions on Russian specialists imposed by Western sanctions.
The Bulgarian parliament also passed a declaration in support of Ukraine’s NATO application, stipulating that support would be granted once the war in Ukraine comes to an end. The declaration emphasized the importance of Russia’s immediate and full withdrawal beyond the internationally recognized borders of affected sovereign states as the quickest path to restoring peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region, and Europe. Additionally, the declaration called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine’s defense, a stance opposed by the Socialist Party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.
However, Zelenskyy faced opposition from Bulgaria’s largely ceremonial President, Rumen Radev, regarding the provision of military supplies to Ukraine. Radev emphasized the belief that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved militarily and called for consistent efforts to de-escalate the situation, establish a ceasefire, and seek peaceful solutions through diplomatic means. Radev’s position carries weight due to the influence it holds in shaping public opinion, particularly among segments of the Bulgarian population that share historical and cultural ties with Russia.
Following his visit to Bulgaria, President Zelenskyy was scheduled to travel to Prague for talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The discussions were expected to focus on various bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest.