site.btaHristo Ivanov: Bulgaria Should Help Ukraine in Any Way It Can, Including by Supplying Weapons

Democratic Bulgaria co-leader Hristo Ivanov told Darik Radio on Saturday that Sofia should help Ukraine in the war against Russia in any way it can, including by supplying weapons, the coalition's press office reported.

"It is absolutely ridiculous to say that supplying weapons and ammunition to Ukraine would make us part of the war. Bulgaria is already part of the war," said Ivanov. Democratic Bulgaria has the sixth-largest parliamentary group out of a total of seven and belongs to the four-party ruling coalition.

Ivanov reasoned: "We are a part of that war because we are an interested party in a very direct way. We border the war zone. The important thing is to defend ourselves. Our best defence is in [siding with] Ukraine and in bringing our special services into 'relevance' mode."

According to Ivanov, the intention to pay 300 million leva for an upgrade of the Russian (Soviet) made MiG fighter aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force also makes Bulgaria part of the war - but on Putin's side. "If we give Ukraine bullet-proof vests and helmets, we are part of the war, but if we give Putin money, we are not, is that it? This is ridiculous."

"It is in our best interests for Ukraine to prevail. Therefore, we should be ready to help in any way we can," Ivanov said.

The possibility of Bulgaria supplying weapons (air defence systems) and/or ammunition to Ukraine was expected to be on the agenda of US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin's talks in Bulgaria on Friday and Saturday. Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Saturday that the matter was not considered between him and Austin.