site.btaWeekly Roundup of Political Events, February 26 - March 4

Sofia, February 26

Dozens of Ukrainian citizens living in Bulgaria call for an end to hostilities in Ukraine in a rally in front of the presidency building in downtown Sofia. They chant against "Putin's aggression", against the fact that "Bolshevism and Stalinism are resurrected" and call for help from NATO and the European Union. A protest also takes place in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia, with representatives of the human rights organization Amnesty International expressing solidarity and support for the Ukrainians who are facing the Russian invasion in their country. The organization calls for respect for international humanitarian and human rights law in Ukraine. Similar rallies are held across Bulgaria, in Varna, Burgas, and Bansko.

Sofia, February 26

The Bulgarian government launches a single information portal to help those leaving Ukraine, which contains complete information about the requirements of border control when entering Bulgaria. Instructions for the necessary identity documents are also provided. The platform, first of its kind in the EU, has the ability to submit signals for assistance and evacuation of citizens, and to process information about volunteers and donors.

Sofia, February 26

Bulgarian MEP Eva Maydell calls on the European Commission to convene a summit at the earliest possible moment between EU Commissioners, social media platforms, regulators and transatlantic counterparts to discuss further actions that platforms could take to tackle disinformation surrounding the Russian invasion in Ukraine. 

Sofia, February 26

The Bulgarian government adopts a decision to send humanitarian and military-logistical aid to Ukraine. With this step, Bulgaria joins the group of 25 donor member states of EU and NATO. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov says that the humanitarian aid will include apparel, footwear, tents, bedding and blankets, and that the Bulgarian Red Cross will open a bank account on February 28 for donations in aid of refugees from Ukraine

Sofia, February 27

National Assembly Chair Nikola Minchev says that Bulgaria is able to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and that there is a special provision for this in the 2022 budget voted in Parliament. "Bulgaria will not be a country that has abandoned Ukraine or that does not act in solidarity with its EU and NATO allies," he says.

Sofia, February 27

Innovation and Growth Minister Daniel Lorer says that from a purely economic point of view, he personally thinks that all Ukrainian refugees are welcome to join Bulgaria’s work force. According to him, Bulgaria can take in hundreds and perhaps thousands of refugees, accommodate them in unused hotels and student dormitories, and offer them jobs in the fields of agriculture, construction, and engineering, among others.

Sofia, February 27

Speaking to Nova TV, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev says that Bulgaria has started talks with Greece on building a new nuclear power facility, to be used by Greece under a 20-year agreement. He also says that the government has plans and preparations to avert an energy crisis.

Sofia, February 28

Reacting to the pressure for his resignation, Defence Minister Stefan Yanev makes it clear in a Facebook post that he is not stepping down during the current geopolitical situation. He believes that his critics aim to see him replaced by somebody who is more willing to push through certain foreign interests in the Bulgarian foreign policy, and especially in the defence area. He believes that his replacement would put to risk the national security, and warns that decisions which are about to be made are not in Bulgaria’s best interest.

Sofia, February 28

Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska participates in an informal video conference of EU foreign affairs ministers to discuss providing assistance and relief aid to Ukraine. The Ministers adopt a political decision on specific measures to strengthen the restrictive measures against Russia in connection with the military aggression against Ukraine. Bulgaria backs a tightening of restrictions and closing EU airspace to Russian aircraft to exert pressure on Russia to cease hostilities.

Sofia, February 28

President Rumen Radev says in a Facebook post that 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 its energy sector is highly dependent, and the conflict will deepen the energy crisis. 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.

Sofia, February 28

Diana Ivanova is appointed Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports by an order of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, replacing Yanichka Troueva.

Sofia, February 28

"It is in Bulgaria’s national interest to have a clear position on Ukraine," says Prime Minister Kiril Petkov after an emergency government meeting in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “The national interest is one. When we see an injustice, in this instance we see two Slavic peoples and one is attacking the other without good reason, we can’t just bend our heads. The idea that Bulgaria should be humbler than the grass and that a bent head turns away wrath is not Bulgaria’s national interest,” says Petkov. 

Sofia, February 28

Bulgaria is not involved in cyberwar, g-Government Minister Bozhidar Bozhanov says on Bulgarian National Radio. "Right now Russia's focus is Ukraine and all their resources for a cyberwar go there. That, of course, can change any time and we need to be prepared so that our resources are used to protect all state information systems in case Russia's focus changes in the coming days and weeks," he says.

Sofia, February 28

Bulgaria should not deliver Bulgarian weapons or dual-use technologies to Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Industry Minister Korneliya Ninova tells bTV. She adds that she would defend her position before the Council of Ministers. “Direct export of weapons is a direct involvement in the war, and we are a party that wants peace,” Ninova stresses.

Sofia, February 28

Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Petkov attends an emergency video-conference meeting of EU Defence Ministers chaired by EU High Representatives for EU Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The ministers brief their counterparts about the decisions of their national governments to provide for Ukraine’s armed forces humanitarian aid, medical equipment, logistical aid, and armament. 

Sofia, March 1

"With every statement, with every move, with every buffoonery of a foreign position serving a foreign interest, this Council of Ministers and this Prime Minister are bringing us closer to war," says Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov in a statement in Parliament. According to him, Bulgaria should not take part in a conflict that is not its own, especially by sending weapons to Ukraine.

Sofia, March 1

The Bulgarian Health Ministry organizes a delivery of humanitarian aid with pharmaceutical and medical supplies to Ukraine at that country's emergency request, received under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

Sofia, March 1

In the spirit of the coalition agreement, BSP for Bulgaria will vote for the replacement of Defence Minister Stefan Yanev, MP Atanas Zafirov says in Parliament. According to him, such a change requires solid arguments when the minister himself refuses to resign, although in recent weeks it has become clear that he cannot work with the government.

Sofia, March 1

Continue the Change floor leader Andrey Gurov says in Parliament that his group appreciates the contribution of General Stefan Yanev to the Bulgarian Armed Forces. “With a war underway a few hundred kilometres off our border, however, the Government must be able to speak with one voice,” he points out. He says that his parliamentary group, while not being against Russia, cannot remain silent when the Russian President orders an attack on a sovereign country, bombing civilians, and destroying their cities.

Sofia, March 1

Bulgaria's National Assembly elects Dragomir Zakov Minister of Defence, replacing Stefan Yanev. Presenting the nominee, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov says that in recent years Zakov has been active in asserting a systematic approach to decision-making in the field of defence and in invigorating the fight against disinformation. Petkov stresses that the nominee has amassed extensive experience.

Sofia, March 1

The power-sharing Democratic Bulgaria (DB) supports Prime Minister Kiril Petkov in reconfiguring his team in order to deal with the big issue ahead of him, says DB co-leader Hristo Ivanov during the debate on the replacement of the Defence Minister. Ivanov notes that it used to be possible to be part of NATO and the EU, and hold a position of neutrality, presenting it as a national interest. That era is over, Ivanov stresses, adding that from now on the national interest is the unity of the EU and NATO. According to him, this is not a war between Russia and Ukraine, this war is one dictator's assault on the groundwork of international law.

Sofia, March 1

"We will save you again, Mr Prime Minister, but we will not do it forever. It is about time you moved from words to deeds," former foreign minister Ekaterina Zaharieva (GERB-UDF) says during the debate on personnel changes in the Kiril Petkov cabinet and the resignation of defence minister Stefan Yanev.

Sofia, March 2

Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer meets with representatives of the Association of Bulgarian Employers' Organizations (AOBR). The meeting decides that a national coordination headquarters will be set up with the participation of employers, which will support Ukrainian citizens seeking asylum and work in our country.

Sofia, March 2

GERB-UDF proposes legal amendments for Ukrainian refugees of Bulgarian origin: a simplified asylum procedure, automatic right to work, accommodation, immediate unemployment benefits, and other types of assistance, says MP Radomir Cholakov at a briefing in the National Assembly.

Sofia, March 2

The head of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry's press office, Mitko Dimitrov, tells journalists that two Russian diplomats accredited to Bulgaria have been declared personae non gratae over espionage activities of the Russian Federation in this country. They have 48 hours to leave Bulgaria. In a second note, the Foreign Ministry expresses strong protest regarding the Russian Embassy’s recent publications in media, containing offensive definitions and suggestions aimed at Bulgaria and its allies.

Sofia, March 2

Deputy Defence Minister Ralitsa Simeonova announces her resignation in a judgmental Facebook post where she slams the government for its policies and for being influenced by others. "What I saw in the past few months solidified my conviction that we live in a captured state that is humiliated by friend and foe and exploited for the accomplishment of personal goals and ambitions, and the defence sector is a good illustration of such practices," she writes.

Sofia, March 3

On Bulgaria’s National Day, March 3, National Assembly Chair Nikola Minchev, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, Innovation Minister Daniel Lorer, Labour and Social Policy Minister Georgi Gyokov, Transport and Communications Minister Nikolay Sabev, MPs, and citizens lay wreaths and flowers at the Monument to Liberty over the Shipka Pass. Prime Minister Petkov also addressed the people, calling for а unification. Minchev and Petkov are booed by members and supporters of the Vazrazhdane political party with calls of “Resign!”, “Traitors!”, “No to NATO!”, among others.

Sofia, March 4

By orders of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, Desislava Boneva is appointed Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth; Ralitsa Simeonova is dismissed from the post of Deputy Minister of Defence; and Martin Danovski is dismissed as Chairman of the State Agency for Research and Innovation.

Brussels, March 4

At this stage, Bulgaria has not asked for stronger NATO presence on its territory, Foreign Minister Teodora Genchovska says during an extraordinary meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, dedicated to the war in Ukraine. She condemns the attack against the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and says that Bulgaria is part of the Alliance and fully supports efforts to keep the conflict from escalating.