site.btaConsequences of War in Ukraine to Be Grave in Europe, Bulgaria, President Radev Says

The consequences of the war in Ukraine will be grave, not only for those participating in it but for Europe as well, particularly for Bulgaria, as it’s energy sector is highly dependent, and the conflict will deepen the energy crisis, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stressed in a Facebook post here on Monday. He expects the Bulgarian government to step up and introduce support measures to reduce the effects of the impending crisis ranging from strengthening energy security to guaranteeing food sovereignty.

Radev said that the “ongoing fratricide” between Russia and Ukraine is “particularly painful” to the Bulgarian people.

“In a few days, on March 3, Bulgaria will celebrate its National Day,” Radev said in an address to the nation later in the day. The bones of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers, who fought side by side in the Russo-Turkish war and died for Bulgaria’s freedom, rest in Bulgarian soil,” the address said. [On March 3 Bulgaria marks the 144th anniversary of its liberation from Ottoman rule. Liberation came with the signing of the San Stefano peace treaty of March 3, 1878, which ended the Russo-Turkish War.]

Commenting on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Radev said that nothing could justify the victims, devastations, and huge sufferings.

“The people of Ukraine do not deserve such a fate. Neither do the grieving families of the fallen Russian soldiers. Solidarity, as well as energetic and overall action are called for to cease this reckless aggression as soon as possible. Every day of this war is a defeat for both Ukraine and Russia. Peace cannot be achieved through aggression or trampling on sovereignty,” the Bulgarian President stressed.

In relation to this, the presidents of Eastern European countries have called on the EU to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU accession. “Ukraine has the right to exist and the right to have future in united Europe,” Radev said.