Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Washington: It is important to send clear political message regarding NATO’s attitude to Russian aggression in Ukraine

Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev in Washington: It is important to send clear political message regarding NATO's attitude to Russian aggression in Ukraine

09.07.2024

There is nothing surprising in Bulgaria's position, which is an outcome of seven decisions of the National Assembly. Unlike others, what I speak in Bulgaria, I speak here. This is what Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said in Washington before the opening of the NATO Summit. Apart from the fact that the Bulgarian stance on the upcoming forum does not go beyond the Parliament's decisions, the Prime Minister reiterated that Bulgarian troops would not be deployed in Ukraine.

Regarding the indicative EUR 80 million as indicated in the Bulgarian position, Mr. Glavchev explained that this is a political commitment that is not legally binding. The Prime Minister noted that it is a matter of an aid package for Ukraine and, in addition to being financial, it may be in the form of military equipment and military training. Further, the Prime Minister pointed out that it is up to the Bulgarian Parliament to decide whether the aid would be granted and whether the amount of the aid would be as indicated.

Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev emphasized that the total amount for the Alliance is EUR 40 billion, the purpose being to send a clear political message that each member state sticks to the commitment made and contributes in proportion to its GDP. The money cannot be released if there is not a decision of the Parliament of any NATO member state, Mr. Glavchev said and noted further that this is a political commitment that demonstrates the attitude of the member states to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. The Prime Minister added that each country should decide for itself whether additional support for Kyiv would be within or beyond the 2 percent of the GDP as the target for defense agreed by the NATO allies.

Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev strongly condemned the missile attack that hit the children's hospital in the capital city of Ukraine. "A normal person cannot remain indifferent at the sight of a raid on a children's hospital," the Prime Minister said further.

As he answered a journalist's question, Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev said that there is no proposal for Bulgarian mediation for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The Prime Minister stated firmly that Bulgaria is not expected to be the location for signing a peace agreement.