site.btaMPs Mull Option to Have Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Address Bulgarian Parliament

MPs discussed in the corridors of Parliament on Thursday the possibility of having Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy address the Bulgarian National Assembly in a video call. A motion to this end was submitted to Parliament by Vladimir Panev and Zornitsa Stratieva, MPs of the Green Movement, part of the Democratic Bulgaria, itself a partner in the four-party coalition government. 

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Panev said that a hearing of Zelenskyy will help Bulgaria be more clear what Ukraine's needs are at the moment. The topic also raises the question of the possibility for Bulgaria providing military aid to Ukraine. 

Approached to comment whether he would support the sending of arms, Panev said "Probably yes, but we want to hear the Ukrainian side as well". 

So far Bulgaria has only provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. 

Following are opinions of other MPs on the possibility of a hearing of Zelenskyy by the Bulgarian Parliament:

Elisaveta Belobradova, Democratic Bulgaria:
The parliamentary group of the Democratic Bulgaria stands behind the proposal for a hearing. The hearing could open a broader debate on Bulgaria's aid to Ukraine.

Ivailo Mirchev, Democratic Bulgaria:
This is an interesting idea but the question is what the Bulgarian Parliament will tell Mr Zelenskyy. Bulgaria will very likely remain the last member state of the EU and NATO which does not provide military aid to Ukraine. 

Milen Mateev, Continue the Change:
The idea for the hearing is acceptable. 

Alexander Nenkov, GERB-UDF:
GERB-UDF supports the motion for the hearing. Such an idea is in order and is also a serious gesture of solidarity. Such a hearing will not have an impact on the course of events but with it Bulgaria will show the Ukrainian people that we are a country that stands by them. GERB would support a motion for military aid to Ukraine if such is submitted to Parliament. 

Stanislav Anastassov, Movement for Rights and Freedoms:
Noting that this will be an address and not a hearing, Anastassov said that the Bulgarian Parliament will be one of the last to do so.  

Yordan Tsonev, Movement for Rights and Freedoms:
Regarding the question of the armament of Ukraine, this is a job in the remit of the Bulgarian Government. When a motion to this effect is submitted, it will be put to discussion in Parliament.

Kostadin Kostadinov, Vazrazhdane:
Vazrazhdane is against the hearing. Kostadinov compared it to a theatrical performance and said that he did not see how such a hearing will contribute to the information environment. He noted that only the point of view of one of the sides in the conflict is reported in the media space. 

The parliamentary group of the Bulgarian Socialist Party declined to comment the topic. 

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Meanwhile, the Border Police said that since the start of the war a month ago to March 24, more than 113,000 Ukrainian nationals have entered Bulgaria. Of these, more than 52,000 have remained in this country, out of whom 20,000 are under the age of 18 years.