site.btaBulgaria Expresses Staunch Support for the Ukrainian People at International Conference in Paris

Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Kostadin Kodzhabashev expressed Sofia's unwavering support for the Ukrainian people in a statement at the international conference "Standing With the Ukrainian People" in Paris on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said on its website.

Since the onset of the Russian aggression, Bulgaria has provided EUR 224 million in aid to Ukraine and has registered 146,000 Ukrainian refugees for temporary protection, the Foreign Ministry said. A possible further contribution includes agricultural aid, power generators and financial support through international organizations. Initiatives of Bulgarian NGOs and individuals also play an important role.

The conference was opened by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and was co-chaired by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

The forum was attended by 46 countries and more than 30 international organizations. Its aim was to mobilize the international community for the reconstruction of Ukraine's critical infrastructure targeted by Russian attacks. All participants expressed solidarity and empathy with the Ukrainian people and pledged to help it to the best of their ability to get through the harsh winter. The organizers said around EUR 1 billion had been pledged to this end at the conference, the Foreign Ministry said.