site.bta“Politicians’ Statements against Ukraine’s Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Are Unacceptable,” Embassy in Sofia Says

The Embassy of Ukraine in Sofia considers as absolutely unacceptable the statements of individual representatives of political parties in the Republic of Bulgaria against the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, said a statement of the diplomatic mission addressed to Bulgarian media, including BTA.

The Ukrainian Embassy especially noted that ambitions for redrawing the map of Europe and inciting the annexation of the territory of Ukraine is a classic manifestation of support for Russian revanchism.

The Embassy of Ukraine strongly condemned attempts to question the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the spirit of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Bulgaria, signed in 1992.

The Embassy stressed that such statements pose a threat to the national security of Ukraine, in view of which the Ukrainian side will take all prevention and protection measures provided for in national legislation and international law.

The Embassy did not specify the reason for the statement, nor who caused it, but it is clear that it refers to a post by the leader of Vazrazhdane, Kostadin Kostadinov, that "Southern Bessarabia belongs to Bulgarians and must return to Bulgaria".

Bessarabia, inhabiting parts of present-day Ukraine and Moldova. Bulgarians are a majority in Bolhrad District, but they also inhabit other districts of Budjak (Southern Bessarabia): Artsyz, Tarutyne, Izmail, and Sarata. There are also Bulgarians in the city of Izmail.