site.btaCeasefire Without Security Guarantees for Ukraine Would Be Worst Possible Outcome for EU, Bulgaria, EU Commissioner Zaharieva Says

In a bTV interview on Saturday, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva warned that a ceasefire without security guarantees for Ukraine would be the worst possible outcome for the European Union and Bulgaria. "Uncertainty on the European continent is an extremely unfavourable position for all EU citizens," she noted.

"No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine and Ukraine itself, who are living through war. And Europe stands with Ukraine," Zaharieva added. "What we must do together, and I hope with the U.S. as well, is work toward achieving this peace. However, it must be lasting. A mere ceasefire, a temporary truce without clear agreements and security guarantees for Ukraine, will lead to nothing but a regrouping and strengthening of the Russian army, followed by a resumption of military actions in two, three, or four years. In other words, it would create yet another ‘frozen conflict,’" the Bulgarian EU Commissioner stressed.

"Europe must invest more in its own defence and security. Ahead of the extraordinary meeting of European leaders, Ursula von der Leyen presented a plan outlining the European Commission’s proposal for how Europe should invest more in its own security and defence. Part of this plan includes a EUR 150 billion loan to help European countries modernize their armies together. Europe's military industries are crucial," Zaharieva emphasized. She said that Bulgaria has a strong military industry and will benefit from this initiative.

"It is extremely important that [the war] ends favourably for Ukraine," Zaharieva said, expressing hope that this will happen soon.