site.btaContinue the Change Backs Strong Ukraine, Its Freedom, and Security of All

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Continue the Change (CC) sent a position to the media, in which they express their support for the Ukrainian people and their struggle for independence, territorial integrity and the right to determine their own future.

The war brought destruction, suffering and huge human losses, but it also showed the strength of the human spirit, the will for freedom and the importance of solidarity, the statement reads. 

"We believe that freedom and democracy are fundamental values ​​that cannot and should not be trampled on. The Ukrainian people have shown the world what it means to defend these values ​​with courage, dignity and steadfastness," the party stated.

"For the national security of Bulgaria, it is vital that the world does not again end up being divided into zones of influence. This practice, which brings only conflicts and instability, has no place in the modern world. Therefore, we are for a strong and united Europe that will resist attempts to impose division, and for a strong Ukraine that fights every day not only for its freedom, but also for the security of all of us,” CC said. 

“Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union and NATO, must continue to stand firmly behind Ukraine. Continuous support is needed so that Ukraine can resist the aggressor and recover from this terrible war,” said the CC, calling on all democratic societies to remain united in their actions and resolute in defending international law. The party also expressed their respect and sympathy to the victims of this war and expressed hope for just peace.

“I am proud that at the beginning of the war, Bulgaria helped Ukraine resist the aggressor. Over 40% of all the shells that Ukraine used in the first days to defend its territory were manufactured in Bulgaria,” said CC co-chair and former prime minister Kiril Petkov in a Facebook post.

“The idea of ​​freezing Russian financial assets was also a Bulgarian proposal, and this today gives Europe the strength to be at the negotiating table. There can be no “deal” for peace until it is decided what to do with the EUR 210 billion of Russian assets frozen in Europe. Let us not forget that before the sanctions, Russia exported goods and services worth over EUR 240 billion to Europe, so the European market is one of the most important for Russia. These two factors make Europe a major factor in resolving the conflict,” he said.

“I am proud that we are no longer dependent on Russian gas, and that we expelled the Russian intelligence officers who worked against the interests of Bulgaria, which they defined as an “enemy state,” Kiril Petkov also wrote.

He reiterated that the Bulgarian army should not be sent to fight on the front in Ukraine during the war, but support for Ukraine should continue. “I would encourage European leaders to use Russia’s frozen funds to help Ukraine and let the choice be given to Russia: their money be used for weapons against them or, if they agree to a normal peace deal,” Petkov wrote.

He argued that  a peace in which Russia would take the seized lands as a complete winner, and the US would take Ukraine’s mineral resources for generations to come, is “deeply immoral and unjust.”

"Europe is strong. Europe is united. The future of Ukraine is in Europe,” stressed Petkov.