site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian, Polish Presidents Concur that Ukraine War Is Inadmissible, Fratricidal

"We concur in our assessment that this war between two brotherly Slav peoples is inadmissible and fratricidal and in calling jointly for its immediate cessation and achieving a diplomatic peace settlement. This war does only inflict devastation and enormous suffering on people, it also jeopardizes international security and order," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Tuesday.

He made this statement after a session with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is paying a working visit to Bulgaria.

"We are witnessing a crumbling of a European security system that took decades to build. The Russian aggression in Ukraine raises particularly acutely the issue of our own security. Together with Poland, we are united in our efforts for strengthening the eastern flank of the Alliance, for creating the right conditions for the activation of the graduated response plans depending on the level of the threats," the Bulgarian head of State said.

"Forming multinational battlegroups is only part of these efforts. This, however, does not relieve us of our enormous responsibility of which I have reminded quite a few Bulgarian governments: to build and develop our own defence capacity. Bulgaria cannot be part of NATO's new defence concept without tangible and up-to-date defence capabilities," Radev pointed out.

The two heads of State reached understanding on expert teams immediately exploring opportunities to assist Bulgaria to maintain its MiG-29 fighters using the capabilities of the Polish industry and air force. Radev thanked Duda for this readiness.

The host described the condition of Bulgaria's fighter aviation as "particularly critical". "The problems of Bulgaria's defence have been neglected for years on end, which has led to a certain deficiency of capabilities which needs to be addressed by urgent measures," Radev said.

"Unless we do something about that without any delay, we risk asking our neighbours to take over our commitments, losing our air sovereignty, forfeiting our allied obligations and compromising the F-16 acquisition project itself because there will be nobody to fly and service the new fighter aircraft," the President warned.

In his statement, President Duda said that while it has been going on for almost a month now, the progress of full-scale Russian aggression in Ukraine does not meet Putin's expectations. "As NATO members we are monitoring the situation but, more than that, we are seeking to help Ukraine in many ways," the guest noted. In his words, the Alliance must adapt as quickly as possible to the present situation that has emerged as a result of Russia's aggressive policy.

"We must free ourselves from Russia's domination in oil and gas deliveries," Duda argued.

"The forthcoming high-level meetings in Brussels will produce both military and economic decisions that will strengthen our security," the Polish President pointed out.