Bulgarian President Rumen Radev made statements Thursday that contradicted those of most heads of state and government present at the European Council, as Volodymyr Zelensky came to Brussels to ask for more weapons to liberate Russian-held territory.
Radev, who represents Bulgaria at the EU summit, which does not yet have a full government, opposed sending weapons to Ukraine, although the previous Bulgarian parliament managed to pass a resolution on it last November. He argued that sending arms to Ukraine was “fuel to the fire”.
Speaking on arrival at the European Council meeting, ahead of the arrival of Volodymyr Zelensky, Radev said: “The time has come, one year after the start of this bloody war, to focus primarily on measures to end it and on of the efforts to find a diplomatic solution .’
Bulgaria will continue to support the Ukrainian people “to the best of our ability” to overcome the critical winter months. Bulgaria, he added, will continue to help Ukrainian refugees on its territory.
Asked about the possibility of a new wave of sanctions that could include Russia’s civilian nuclear sector, Radev said Bulgaria cannot accept such sanctions “because it would have a direct impact on our nuclear energy.”
“We are looking at all areas where new sanctions are possible. But where our interests are at stake, as is the case with nuclear energy, we follow this issue very closely,” the Bulgarian president said.
Asked if Bulgaria would use its veto to block those sanctions, he said: “If necessary, we will use our veto, yes.”
Asked whether he thought the EU would ask member states to send more weapons to Ukraine, he said Bulgaria had already made such a decision, referring to a parliamentary vote in November. However, he expressed his hope that “the government will take measures to prevent something like this from happening again.” The current government is one he appointed to manage current affairs as the country has no parliament until snap elections on April 2.
“This is a bloody war and we are hearing fewer and fewer calls for peace. We only hear the sound of guns, we only hear calls for victory, although no one can define what victory means,” added Radev.
Regarding the issue of immigration , one of the three main topics of this summit, along with the economy and Ukraine, Radev said the phenomenon “threatens the democratic foundations of our Union”.
He said Bulgaria, whose entry into the Schengen area was blocked by Austria on the grounds that it was not ready to adequately protect Europe’s borders, had invested heavily in the border in terms of personnel, fences and technical systems.
“The EU appreciates this contribution. But our resources are insufficient. That is why, in the last months, we have had an active diplomatic activity at all levels for more support, which will benefit not only Bulgaria but all front-line countries”, added President Rumen Radev.
