site.btaUPDATED Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Attends Discussion at National History Museum

At a discussion the National History Museum on Thursday, at which the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was an official guest, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov praised Ukrainians' fight for their freedom and expressed hope that they will achieve peace. Denkov and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel hosts the event, and guests include ambassadors, politicians and representatives of civil society.

"Welcome to the National History Museum," said Denkov, noting that the meeting was not there by accident, as that is where the treasure from the grave of Bulgarian Khan Kubrat occupies a central place. [Khan Kubrat was the Ruler of Old Great Bulgaria, fatrher of the founder of Bulgaria, Khan Asparuh. His grave is located in Pereshchepina, modern Ukraine]. 

"We want to talk not about war, but about peace," said Denkov. "For the peace that we all strive for, the peace that will bring tranquility to the Ukrainian and Russian people. Peace is a realistic goal if we all believe in it and make the necessary efforts to achieve it," Denkov pointed out.

"Bulgaria's consistent support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is conditioned by our steady, moral compass, enshrined in the value base of any democratic society," Gabriel stressed.

She added that Zelenskyy's visit is a very strong message not only for the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Ukraine, but also for Europe and the whole world. "Thanks to you, Mr President, to the Ukrainian people, today we are more than ever filling the expression 'democratic values' - freedom, equality, respect - with content. You show us every day that we should not take it for granted, but defend it also as a right of choice," the Foreign Minister said.

Zelenskyy noted that more than 140,000 [Ukrainian] people have received protection in Bulgaria. "You applaud me, I want you to applaud yourselves for all that you have done for our people," he said.

"We are trying to make sure that our people can return home, to their homes in Ukraine and that it becomes safe," Zelenskyy added. "This is very necessary and we feel it can be done. Everything depends on the power of this important support that we use for defence," the Ukrainian President stated.

Asked why he had come to, Ukrainian President Zelensky replied that the reason was a deficit - a deficit of weapons and a deficit of time, “which is why we need to act much faster”. He noted that on Thursday he had very important talks on energy and energy security. The Ukrainian head of State expressed willingness to implement joint projects with Bulgaria in various sectors.

Zelensky described as “absurd” the claim that aid to Ukraine with arms would prolong the war and would not allow to achieve security. According to him, ignoring reality prevents the war from ending. He reminded that the Ukrainian army managed to significantly reduce the scale of the war thanks to the weapons it receives. "Nearly 1,900 towns and villages have already been liberated by our military, but we still have a difficult road ahead to liberate the entire territory of Ukraine," the Ukrainian president said.

He stressed that the entire most combat-capable part of the Russian army was engaged in Ukraine. "Putin is already experiencing humiliation and needs weapons to continue the terror on Ukraine. It was seen that Prigozhin could enter Kremlin," Zelenskyy said, referring to the rebellion of the Wagner Group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 23, which was called off on the following day after negotiations. “The scale of the war in Ukraine is being reduced because we are pushing out the Russian army,” Zelensky explained.

“The current Russian regime is the last enslaver in Europe. It must lose, both on the battlefield and in politics, for all Europeans to win,” he said. The Ukrainian President expressed belief that modern Europe cannot afford the splendour of internal division. Zelenskyy wished the Bulgarian government to grow stronger and noted that “we always have to fight for the future of our people”.

Asked about his conversation with President Rumen Radev, Zelensky commented that the Bulgarian head of State had expressed his opinion on support with arms. "In all other aspects we had an understanding. On the aspect of defence assistance, we have different views," Zelensky said. Radev, he stated, believed that this would mean escalation, while for Zelensky it meant defence. "This is an absolutely different philosophy," Zelensky pointed out, adding that he would not criticize the President as he respects Bulgaria as its guest.