site.btaDefence Minister: Bulgaria Endorses Diplomatic Initiatives Such as President Zelenskyy’s Peace Plan

Speaking at a meeting Monday with Ukrainian servicepersons receiving language training at the Rakovski National Defence College, Bulgarian Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said that Bulgaria endorses diplomatic initiatives such as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan.

Tagarev briefed the Ukrainian servicepersons on Bulgaria's comprehensive efforts to provide support, both through military and technical assistance packages and through various initiatives that this country joins, his Ministry’s press centre reported. He added that the Bulgarian defense industry has significantly contributed to the supply of ammunition to Ukraine.

The meeting was attended by Ukrainian Ambassador to Bulgaria Olesia Ilashchuk, Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, the commandant of the Rakovski National Defence College, Major General Todor Dochev, and cabinet representatives.

The Ukrainian group of trainees includes representatives of leading Ukrainian educational institutions trained in Bulgaria within NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme.

Tagarev told them that they can rely on support for Ukraine's efforts to restore its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders of 1991. The Minister stressed that this is not only a matter of moral obligation and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, but it is also in Bulgaria’s strategic interest to ensure stability in the region.

Eftimov expressed his support for Ukraine and said that learning a foreign language is crucial when it comes to capability and interoperability development.

Ambassador Ilashchuk expressed appreciation for Bulgaria’s "full support in this crucial and difficult moment for the battle that Ukraine is fighting not only to defend its own independence, but also to defend Europe and the rest of the world from Russia".