site.btaBulgarian PM: Russia Leaving Ukraine's Territory Is Only Way to End War

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov believes that Russia leaving Ukraine's territory is the only way to end the war. "The only solution to the war is for Russia to leave Ukraine's territory altogether. Anything else would mean a frozen conflict and instability," Petkov said in Bratislava, as quoted by the Bulgarian Government Information Service on Thursday. He was in the Slovak capital for a global strategic conference, the GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum.

Within the leaders' discussion panel, Petkov said: "The Ukrainians are fighting for Europe, and it is important for the EU to speak with one voice in support of Ukraine." Citing an example, he recalled Bulgaria's unambiguous reaction after Russian company Gazprom unilaterally stopped supplying natural gas to this country.

He noted that Bulgaria will repair 80 Ukrainian tanks, which will bring a real practical benefit for Kyiv.

The Bulgarian government leader paid special attention to the need to look at European infrastructure and connectivity from a more strategic perspective in view of filling the logistical gaps. He expects that this will help boost the impact of investments in defence and security.

Prime Ministers Eduard Heger of Slovakia and Arturs Krisjanis Karins of Latvia also participated in the leaders' panel.