site.btaUPDATED PM Zhelyazkov: Just, Lasting Peace Can Be Achieved through Security for Ukraine, EU

Emerging from a meeting of the Security Council at the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that it was agreed that "a just and lasting peace can be achieved through security for Ukraine and the European Union". The topic of the meeting, convened by Zhelyazkov, was "Review and analysis of the current geopolitical situation and the resulting risks to national security."

The Prime Minister stated that all parliamentary groups shared their views based on reports presented by the relevant ministers and agencies.

"It is clear that the geopolitical dynamics are shaped by the war in Ukraine, both as a cause and consequence of unfolding global processes—not just in Europe. It is clear that Bulgaria cannot afford to be placed, actively or passively, in a position where it must choose between different stances on the war taken by the EU and the United States. We regard both as NATO allies and as guarantors of our national security," Zhelyazkov said.

He thanked the participants for their "constructive tone", emphasizing that "we all recognize that national security is a shared responsibility of political forces. This is why all decisions Bulgaria will uphold are based on resolutions of the National Assembly".

Zhelyazkov noted that discussions focused on the risks to Bulgaria’s national security under different scenarios: the continuation of the war, its resolution, and the potential implications of U.S. involvement or withdrawal from various forms of support.

"We also examined the opportunities presented by the European Commission’s ReArm initiative," he said, explaining that these include funding mechanisms to support the reindustrialization of Member States’ military industries, the potential activation of the escape clause for defence investments, and utilizing the Cohesion Fund alongside other EU resources. "According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, these efforts could generate nearly BGN 800 billion in the coming years," he added. "It is crucial for us to take advantage of these opportunities to accelerate the development of our military industry with improved coordination between public and private sector enterprises."

Earlier in the day, the European Commission President introduced the EU’s rearmament plan, which aims to mobilize EUR 800 billion over the next five years. "Europe is ready to assume its responsibilities," she stated briefly before leaving without taking questions from reporters.