The security environment has been greatly altered since the foundations of the European security architecture were attacked in February 2022. Bulgaria supports the legal actions for protection from Russian military actions and the restoration of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. This was stated during a briefing by our Minister of Defence Todor Tagarev, who yesterday visited his Ukrainian colleague Oleksiy Reznikov in Odessa. He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of personal contact for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
„Russian provocations in the Black Sea hinder free shipping, increase the risk of accidents and escalation of tensions. In these conditions, the close coordination of efforts with our coastal allies Romania and Turkey aims to strengthen our surveillance and situational awareness,“, he pointed out.
„Our country stands in solidarity with Ukrainian efforts, both on a bilateral basis by providing political, humanitarian and military-technical support, as well as within the framework of its membership in NATO, the EU and the UN. In this regard, the decision taken to move from a two-stage to a one-stage process of joining Ukraine to NATO confirms that its place is in the Euro-Atlantic family,“, Minister Tagarev assured.
„Bulgaria will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine. Our commitment remains unwavering and is based on our shared values and our centuries-old historical ties,“, Minister Tagarev said in conclusion.
The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov, thanked Bulgaria for the assistance provided and expressed concern over Russia’s actions in the Black Sea, stressing the strategic importance of the grain deal, as the world’s food crisis is also a security crisis.
During his visit to Odessa, Minister Tagarev was met by Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria Svetoslav Ivanov. He also talked with the representatives of the Bulgarian diaspora and gave them Bulgarian books. Later, our Minister of Defence visited a military base of the Ukrainian Navy and laid flowers at the Monument to the fallen sailors in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
