Bulgaria and the War in Ukraine: Is There a Russian Trojan Horse in Government? News and analyzes from Bulgaria DW
It is not right for the NATO military minister and the NATO general to attend the anti-NATO protest. Not a “manifestation of moderation”, a dangerous disorientation is the Russian war against Ukraine, condemned by both countries, with the exception of “unenviable destinations” such as Belarus, Syria and Myanmar, to be called a “special operation”. Inadequate behavior of a gene. Yanev led to his change. However, there are ministers in the Bulgarian government who have much more emphatic pro-Kremlin positions. Has Petkov’s cabinet become a hostage of the BSP?
The role played by the BSP
The declaration of the 47th National Assembly, which condemned the Russian aggression, was not only supported by the BSP and Vazrazhdane. With this act, the Centenarian showed that she resembled Mr. Kostadinov’s party. The BSP leader and Minister of Economy and Industry Cornelia Ninova said that the four BSP ministers had “stopped” Yanev’s proposal, submitted to the Council of Ministers a few weeks ago, “to allow troops from other NATO countries to enter Bulgaria”.
Does the question that hit the brake on the government when sending Bulgarian weapons to the aid of the Ukrainian people make sense? Does anyone believe that Mr. Borel has “invented” the information that EU member states are ready to provide fighters to the Ukrainian army? For hours the news circulated that Bulgaria was among them.
Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Monday that it was fake, but did not fail to mention that the economy minister has the right to prevent it. Ninova clarified that this does not depend only on her, but also confirmed the famous position of the BSP “not on sanctions against Russia”, because, note, it was “in the name of the Bulgarian national interest.”
How is the “Bulgarian national interest” defined?
The “Continuing Changes” (PP) nominee for new Minister of War, Prof. Tagarev, also appears to have been withdrawn at the last minute under pressure from Positano. Dragomir Zakov, elected in his place, is a career diplomat, but he was yet to “analyze the demands of the Ukrainian army” to Bulgaria.
GERB, which has ruled for more than a decade, is to blame for Bulgaria’s continued energy dependence on Russia. But it is the BSP that has always lobbied for Russian strategic projects. How to defend national sovereignty by consciously following the procedure for selecting and purchasing new fighter jets? If the “Bulgarian” politicians had moved earlier, the American F-16s would already be here. Instead, we support the crumbling Soviet machines by pouring money into the Kremlin’s accounts.
And another recent example: when Mr. Petkov said that Bulgaria would not build the Belene NPP, the BSP jumped very indignant. This is how, “Positano”, in fact, defines the “Bulgarian national interest”.
After February 24, when Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine began, international relations entered a qualitatively new stage. Even traditional neutral states such as Switzerland now show strong support for the Ukrainian people.
Turning public opinion in Bulgaria
Putin’s invasion has damaged the traditional “good reputation” in Bulgaria. Positive ratings for it fell from 55% in June 2021 to 32% in February 2022, and negative ones jumped from 20% to 48% – according to Alpha Research. Yanev’s resignation is approved by 55%, and 63% believe that the unification of the EU around tougher sanctions against Russia is the right reaction. However, pro-Kremlin politicians in our country continue to sing their old hits.
Badly disguised cowardice
Petar Cholakov
I am not saying that Bulgaria should abruptly change its “stance” and, instead of playing the stupid sketch “between two chairs”, return to the NATO hawk. But we must realize that already we are NATO and the EU. It is a shame that there is no consensus, if not in the parliament, at least in the government, that a fratricidal war is being waged in Ukraine, started by the dictator; that measures to stifle the Kremlin’s regime are more than justified.
There is some logic in the argument that, especially if Putin has lost touch with the connection and is even ready to resort to his nuclear arsenal, we risk too much by sending Bulgarian weapons to Kyiv. Still, the thesis that we will not help, because even with what I have, we cannot protect ourselves, sounds like badly disguised cowardice.
In the name of the survival of the government
One thing is clear: in the government there are, if not “Trojan horses” in Moscow, at least people who are insane when it comes to the Bulgarian national interest. Petkov and my colleagues seem to be forced to tolerate their arbitrariness, in the name For how long and at what price?
* This comment shows the personal opinion of the author. It may not coincide with the positions of the Bulgarian editorial office and Deutsche Welle as a whole.