The National Assembly has so far failed to come up with a common position on Ukraine. Today, two statements on the issue were read out from the rostrum of Parliament. They condemn Russia’s recognition of the separatist Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine.
Hristo Ivanov from „Democratic Bulgaria“ announced that in the coming days the ruling party would propose a text of a joint declaration and would be put to a vote. It was he who read the first declaration, which was on behalf of „We continue the change“, „There Is Such a People“ and DB. It stated that Bulgaria is concerned about the situation and supports possible sanctions that will be imposed on Moscow.
The opposition criticized the fact that Parliament did not issue a joint declaration, calling it „shameful„.
Earlier today, it became clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Russian forces to enter separatist parts of eastern Ukraine, with the Kremlin describing the move as a „peacekeeping“ mission just hours after signing decrees recognizing the independence of the disputed regions. It is unclear whether the movement of Russian troops is the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine that Western leaders have been warning about for weeks. Numerous US and Western officials have warned again that the move announced yesterday could serve as the starting volley of a larger military operation against the country.
At the same time, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov came out with a position. He wrote the following on the social network Facebook:
„Bulgaria condemns the decision of the Russian president to recognize Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent. We continue to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders. International law should be respected. We Europeans will continue to speak with one voice in its defense.“
