site.btaUPDATED Two Draft Resolutions on Military Assistance to Ukraine Tabled in Parliament

Two draft resolutions on providing military assistance to Ukraine have been tabled in Parliament, shows a check by BTA on the website of the National Assembly.  The first resolution, tabled by Democratic Bulgaria on October 19, is about strengthening Bulgaria's defence capabilities and providing Ukraine with military assistance. The second resolution, submitted by GERB-UDF on October 24, is about military and technical assistance to Ukraine.

Under GERB-UDF's draft document, the Council of Ministers has one month after the resolution's adoption by the National Assembly to carry out and approve a review of the options for providing arms and equipment to Ukraine while taking into view that this assistance should lead to strengthening of Bulgaria's defence capabilities by replacing them with contemporary defence system that are compatible with Bulgaria's allies. The Council of Ministers should negotiate with the governments of Bulgaria's allies in NATO on the provision or deployment of capacity that replaces or strengthens the country's defence capabilities, which would allow an accelerated release of the outdated Soviet arms and equipment.

GERB-UDF's draft resolution also envisages the Council of Ministers to hold consultations within NATO's initiative to strengthen the Eastern Flank, on the deployment of forces and resources guaranteeing Bulgaria's security, including on joint defence of Bulgarian air space until full operational capacities are achieved.

The Council of Ministers will also have to, jointly with the Ukrainian government, identify and propose to Parliament a package of measures for interaction and support of Ukraine to restore that country's economy, infrastructure, and energy sector, as well as support for Ukraine's case filed against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights.

Democratic Bulgaria's draft resolution gives the Council of Ministers 14 days to prepare a military assistance package and organize the signing of an agreement on the provision of the necessary military equipment in accordance with Ukraine's requirements and Bulgaria's capabilities. Once signed, the agreement should be immediately referred to the National Assembly for ratification.

The Council of Ministers will have 30 days to table in Parliament a comprehensive programme for rearmament of the Bulgarian Army that takes into view the decision to give military equipment and arms to Ukraine and the plans to acquire replacement equipment from Bulgaria's allies and to develop the allies' assistance for the Bulgarian Armed Forces with multinational forces deployed here.

The comprehensive programme should also take into view the plan to increase defence spending to at least 2% of GDP.

Democratic Bulgaria proposes that within ten days of Parliament adopting the draft resolution, the Council of Ministers should organize consultations with the NATO allies to acquire replacement equipment and arms for the Bulgarian Army. The cabinet should by the end of October assess the specific options of Bulgaria, taking into view that the assistance for Ukraine should lead to strengthening of Bulgaria's defence capabilities, including threw modernization of the Bulgarian Army.

Asked to comment on the two draft resolutions, President Rumen Radev Tuesday told reporters that such decisions would increase the risk of getting Bulgaria involved in the war, which is broadening its territorial scope and forms of confrontation.

"Do you believe that the people proposing such decisions would ever pick up a weapon and risk their lives for Bulgaria? I do not, and that is why I once again call for reason and responsibility," Radev said. Taking arms from the Bulgarian Army at the moment would deepen the deficit of capabilities at a time when the security environment is worsening not only to the north but also in the Balkans.

Parliamentary Parties React

GERB Deputy Chair Daniel Mitov: This resolution is overdue, it should have been passed by the previous parliament, back when Russia began its military aggression in Russia. We expect support from all parliamentary groups that declare themselves as Euro-Atlanticists: Democratic Bulgaria, Continue the Change and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. The drafts must go through the committee stage within a week. This is not just provision of military technological support but enables Bulgaria to share in the Allied mutual assistance programmes under which it can modernize its own defence capabilities. Almost all NATO and EU Member States have sent military aid to Ukraine, and this has nothing to do with entering the war.

Stanislav Anastasov MP of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF): The MRF's position on this issue is crystal clear and consistent in support of Ukraine following the aggression that Russia launched against it on February 24, 2022.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov: If such a resolution is passed, Bulgaria would be drawn into an even more serious spiral of insecurity and timelessness. Bulgaria is under pressure to take sides in the war. The next step may be sending a Bulgarian contingent to Ukraine.

Bulgarian Socialist Party Chair Korneliya Ninova: We believe that giving weapons to Ukraine would embroil Bulgaria in the military conflict. We will vote against all motions [the draft resolutions tabled by Democratic Bulgaria and GERB-UDF]. We want a peaceful settlement of the conflict by diplomatic means.

Democratic Bulgaria Co-chair Hristo Ivanov: The point is not just giving weapons to Ukraine but modernizing the Bulgarian Armed Forces. Our draft resolution covers all aspects related to such modernization. There are mechanisms to help the modernization of the Bulgarian military by giving weapons to Ukraine without depriving Bulgaria of any capabilities. For the sake of this objective, we are ready to work with all political forces which look in this direction.

On May 4, the Bulgarian Parliament mandated the government to provide assistance to Ukraine: humanitarian, financial and military-technical, including repairs of Ukrainian military equipment in Bulgaria, according to its capacity. The resolution was backed by all four parties in the government coalition, as well as by the formerly ruling GERB and by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. The Vazrazhdane partry voted against.