Bulgaria Reaffirms Support for Ukraine on War's 1000th Day
SOFIA/BRUSSELS – On the 1000th day since the onset of the war in Ukraine, Bulgaria has reinforced its unwavering solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people in their quest for freedom, independence, peace, and prosperity. This message was conveyed by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) during a recent statement.
The MFA emphasized that despite the relentless aggression from Russia, the spirit and determination of the Ukrainian people remain unbroken. “Justice will prevail,” the Bulgarian acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elena Shekerletova, asserted during her address at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, reiterating Bulgaria’s strong support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
Shekerletova also highlighted the importance of continuing aid to Ukraine across various sectors. She condemned the involvement of foreign entities in the conflict, particularly referencing the participation of military units from North Korea, which she characterized as deeply concerning.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, over one million Ukrainians have arrived in Bulgaria, according to the Ambassador of Ukraine to Bulgaria, Olesya Ilashchuk. She reported that more than 52,000 Ukrainian nationals have received temporary protection status in Bulgaria, with over 14,000 actively employed. Furthermore, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Labor and Social Policy indicated that since the end of October 2023, more than 50,000 families of Ukrainian refugees have received support, totaling over 88,000 benefits across various legal categories.
During the G-7+ foreign ministers meeting in New York, Ivan Kondov, Bulgaria’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Sofia’s consistent support for Ukraine, encompassing political, financial, military, humanitarian, and diplomatic assistance. He also underscored Bulgaria’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s energy security, recalling the Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation signed during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Bulgaria in July 2023, which resulted in the establishment of joint working groups.
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