Bulgaria signs declaration in support of Ukraine's move toward NATO membership.

Following a bilateral meeting in Sofia on July 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov signed a joint declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration. According to Presidential Office deputy head Ihor Zhovkva[1], the document affirms Bulgaria's support for Ukraine joining NATO "as soon as conditions allow," as well as its readiness to continue aiding Ukraine both through NATO and at the bilateral level. According to the declaration, Bulgaria recognizes that Ukraine's NATO accession is "the only way to ensure a sufficient level of security both for Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic family."

Bulgaria is the 22nd country to sign the declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO aspirations, added Zhovkva. Zelensky also met[2] with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to discuss the Ukrainian peace formula, the appointment of Bulgaria's Ambassador to Ukraine, and the countries' cooperation in the Black Sea region.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrvies in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)

The talk also touched on Ukraine's progress toward fulfilling the EU candidate criteria and Russia's potential attack on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Radev has consistently opposed providing Ukraine with large-scale defense assistance.

He has been accused of having a pro-Moscow stance and called Crimea "Russian" during a 2021 presidential debate. After parliament approved arms supplies to Kyiv in December last year, the interim cabinet provided the first military aid package, but Radev reportedly blocked further aid.However, the new government, which was formed in early June under Prime Minister Mykola Denkov, appears to be taking active steps to help Ukraine repel Russian aggression. Bulgaria announced[3] its second military aid package for Ukraine on June 27 without specifying its content.

Dietzen, Druckman: Vilnius NATO Summit - Accelerating Ukraine's membership and deterring Moscow and Minsk

This month's NATO summit takes place at a time of both peril and opportunity for the future of European security. The Wagner Group's June 24 sprint from Rostov to the gates of Moscow dealt a fresh blow to criticism of NATO's decision to extend a Membership Action

[4] Dinara Khalilova

News editor

Dinara Khalilova is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She has previously worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News.

Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master's degree in media and communication from Bournemouth University in the UK.

References

  1. ^ Ihor Zhovkva (www.facebook.com)
  2. ^ met (www.president.gov.ua)
  3. ^ announced (kyivindependent.com)
  4. ^ Dietzen, Druckman: Vilnius NATO Summit - Accelerating Ukraine's membership and deterring Moscow and MinskThis month's NATO summit takes place at a time of both peril and opportunity for the future of European security.

    The Wagner Group's June 24 sprint from Rostov to the gates of Moscow dealt a fresh blow to criticism of NATO's decision to extend a Membership Action (kyivindependent.com)

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