Bulgaria is seeking European Union intervention amid fears of Russian interference in its upcoming elections. This calls attention to Bulgaria's role on the EU stage regarding Russian influence and interference concerns. Discussions have been ongoing about Bulgaria's nuclear reactors, tied to corruption concerns with President Zelenskyy considering purchasing them. Meanwhile, the signing of a security agreement between Ukraine and Bulgaria signifies deeper defence cooperation amid Bulgaria's military aid to Ukraine. These tensions reflect Bulgaria's strategic geopolitical position and ongoing diplomatic dialogues impacting the broader European security landscape.
What concerns does Bulgaria have about Russian election interference?
Bulgaria has appealed to the EU for assistance, citing concerns over possible Russian interference in its parliamentary elections. This appeal underscores the seriousness and potential impact such interference could have on Bulgaria's democratic processes and its broader political stability. The situation highlights the need for vigilance and cooperation among EU countries to safeguard electoral integrity.
Why is Volodymyr Zelenskyy interested in Bulgarian nuclear reactors?
Volodymyr Zelenskyy's interest in Bulgarian nuclear reactors is part of a broader initiative to enhance Ukraine's energy capabilities, although these plans are complicated by allegations of corruption surrounding the reactors. The potential acquisition highlights Ukraine's strategic focus on nuclear energy and the geopolitical considerations involved in such deals, underscoring the intersection of energy policy and international diplomacy.
What is the significance of the security agreement between Ukraine and Bulgaria?
The 10-year security agreement between Ukraine and Bulgaria represents a significant commitment to joint defense efforts and regional stability. It underscores the importance of cooperative security arrangements in Eastern Europe, especially seen as a countermeasure against regional threats. Such agreements are critical for enhancing defense capabilities and fostering cohesive responses to security challenges, reflecting the strategic ties between the two nations.
How has Bulgaria contributed militarily to Ukraine since the war began?
Bulgaria has been a proactive supporter of Ukraine since the onset of the war, significantly contributing one-third of the total EU military aid to Ukraine. This encompasses various forms of military support, including equipment and training, showcasing Bulgaria's pivotal role in countering regional threats and supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. These actions reaffirm Bulgaria's commitment to aiding Ukraine and maintaining regional security dynamics.
Have there been any incidents involving Russian ships off the Bulgarian coast?
A Russian ship named Kairos, which was under sanctions, ran aground off the Bulgarian coast following an attack by the SSU naval drones. This incident underscores the fraught dynamics in the Black Sea and illustrates Bulgaria's strategic maritime position, challenging Russian naval activities. Such incidents amplify the tension in the region, highlighting the ongoing conflict and security considerations in maritime domains.
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Russia Understands that South Stream Has no Future: 'Bulgaria Acts the Same Way as Ukraine' Bulgaria's position on South Stream proves that Russia would be better off to abandon the project, says the Russian State Duma Committee Chairman. 16 884 513
Bulgaria will intercept Russian planes heading to Syria - Defense Minister Nenchev The Bulgarian Air Force will intercept Russian planes flying to Syria without a permit. 42 907 316
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U.S. to Help Bulgaria Depend Less on Russians - New York Times Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that the United States would help Bulgaria reduce its dependence on Russia for energy supplies. Bulgaria, a member of NATO, relies on Russia for 85 percent of the gas it uses and for 100 percent of its nuclear fuel, according to American officials. 21 292 213 Previously in trend: Gas War
Ukrainians, Bulgarians protest against Russia's Night Wolves bikers in Sofia. PHOTOS On May 2, Bulgarian and Ukrainian activists held a protest against local bikers' participation in the motorcycle race by Kremlin-supported Night Wolves group across Europe to Berlin. 89 505 130
Bulgaria breaks an agreement with Russia for the construction of an oil pipeline The Bulgarian Government has decided to propose to Parliament to get out of an agreement with Russia and Greece, signed in 2007, for the construction of an oil pipeline bypassing the Turkish straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles, reports Bloomberg. 10 818 126
"The very efficient and secure way for Russia to destabilize Europe is through the Balkans, so that is what Mr Putin is focusing on," - Bulgarian President The EU and NATO should do more to counter the rising threat of Russian aggression. 18 407 108
Bulgaria will not supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, - Minister of Defense Stoyanov Bulgaria has no intention of supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons. This requires a separate decision of the country’s parliament. 13 318 97 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Bulgarian government says it will not sell reactors for Khmelnytskyi NPP to Ukraine The Bulgarian government says it will not sell Ukraine the reactor that was supposed to be used for the development of the Khmelnytskyi NPP. 15 164 89 Previously in trend: Reactors for Khmelnytskyi NPP
Zelenskyy had a discussion with Bulgarian President Radev about war: If Russia comes here, what will you do then?. VIDEO In a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Sofia, Bulgarian leader Rumen Radev called Russia’s war against Ukraine a "conflict" and reiterated that he did not support the supply of Bulgarian weapons to the Ukrainian defence forces, calling for peace talks. Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine is at war and commented on Radev’s dubious position on provision of weapons. 12 777 82
Germany accuses Russia of false statements over Merkel's pressure on Bulgaria regarding UN chief candidate Berlin accused Moscow of falsely claiming that Chancellor Merkel had tried to pressure Bulgaria to pick a new candidate for the top UN post. Bulgaria said it may change its candidate for the post of UN secretary general. 33 360 79
Allowing Ukraine to strike Russian Federation with Western weapons leads to "nuclear Armageddon", - President of Bulgaria Radev Bulgarian President Rumen Radev accused NATO of complicity in Russia's war in Ukraine. And the permission of Kyiv to carry out strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation creates the risk of "escalation" and "nuclear Armageddon". 8 169 75
Poroshenko, Putin discussed release of hostages twice in June President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko says he had two conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the last month, regarding the release of Ukrainian hostages held in Russian prisons and in the occupied territory of the Donbas. 6 487 65 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia
Bulgarian President Radev promised agreement with Ukraine on supply of armored personnel carriers Bulgarian President Rumen Radev vetoed the draft law on the ratification of the agreement with Ukraine on the supply of armored personnel carriers to Kyiv. 11 039 58
Bulgaria secretly shipped 4,200 tons of weapons to Ukraine via Poland In the first four months from the beginning of the war until June 30, permits were signed for the export of Bulgarian arms worth one billion 16 million euros. 23 499 57 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine War
Bulgarian Defense Ministry announces successful shipment of 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Todor Tagarev announces the successful shipment of 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, an important milestone in support of Kyiv. 6 815 47 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Bulgaria has started transferring promised APCs to Ukraine.. PHOTOS The Bulgarian government has started transferring the promised armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. 13 528 47
Ukraine is negotiating purchase of Russian nuclear reactors from Bulgaria, - Halushchenko Ukraine is conducting negotiations with Bulgaria on the purchase of two Russian-made nuclear reactors and other energy equipment. 5 387 45
Von der Leyen’s plane landed using paper maps due to Russian interference with GPS, - FT The electronic navigation equipment of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane was "jammed" during its approach to the airport in Bulgaria, causing the GPS to stop working. Possible interference by the Russian Federation is suspected. 5 222 45 Previously in trend: Russia blocks GPS signals
Bulgaria will veto new EU sanctions package against Russia, - Prime Minister Radev Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the country will veto the latest package of EU sanctions against Russia, as it could have a negative impact on the Bulgarian economy. 4 387 52 Previously in trend: EU sanctions against Russia
Bulgarian Parliament overrides presidential veto on APCs for Ukraine On December 8, Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted to override President Rumen Radev’s veto of an agreement between the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on Bulgaria’s supply of used armored personnel carriers (APCs) to Ukraine, ratified by the parliament last month. 10 996 43 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Bulgaria resumes production of Soviet-type shells for Ukraine - The New York Times After a 35-year hiatus, the Terem arms factory in Kostenets, Bulgaria, began producing Soviet-style 122mm artillery shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 8 417 42 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Bulgaria starts delivery of 100 armored personnel carriers promised to Ukraine. PHOTO Bulgaria has begun the process of delivering one hundred armored personnel carriers promised to Ukraine in November last year 14 136 39
Bulgaria is halting arms supplies to Ukraine, - Defence Minister Stoyanov Bulgaria has no plans to supply further arms to Ukraine. This was stated by the country’s Defence Minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, who emphasised that, in his view, the war cannot be resolved on the battlefield and that the parties must move towards negotiations. 7 060 44 Previously in trend: Cooperation with Bulgaria
Bulgaria withdraws from "Coalition of the Willing," - Prime Minister Radev Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the country will no longer be part of the "Coalition of the Willing" that supports Ukraine. 6 833 65 Previously in trend: Coalition of the willing Cooperation with Bulgaria
NATO will be safe when Ukraine becomes its full member - head of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Kondov The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Ivan Kondov, believes that full membership of Ukraine in NATO will allow to protect all countries of the bloc. 1 825 29
We expect growth of trade turnover with Romania to four million tons by end of this year, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address to the citizens of Ukraine at the end of the 635th day of the war with the Russian Federation. 1 852 29 Previously in trend: War
Bulgaria has not yet transferred promised APCs to Ukraine: Defense Ministry is looking for possibility of financing transfer by one of countries participating in Ramstein format Bulgaria has not yet sent the promised 100 armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine, they are still in the country. 3 321 27 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
EU completely stops maritime imports of Russian oil On Friday, March 1, Bulgaria officially stopped using and importing Russian oil for fuel production. 3 673 26 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia
Bulgarian government approved decision to transfer 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine The Bulgarian government approved the draft agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the provision of a batch of armored personnel carriers. Negotiations with the Ukrainian side on concluding an agreement are planned, "subject to its further ratification." 5 714 25 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Drone was found on a beach in Bulgaria. PHOTO On 12 September, a drone was found on a beach in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, which had been thrown up by the sea. There was no explosive in it. 5 093 25 Previously in trend: Drone on the beach in Bulgaria
Russian ship Kairos, subject to sanctions, ran aground off coast of Bulgaria. VIDEO The Russian ship Kairos, which was under sanctions, ran aground off the coast of Bulgaria after being attacked by the SSU naval drones at the end of November. 5 904 24 Previously in trend: Accident of Russian tankers Explosions on tankers in Russia
Some 300 Russian terrorist attacks prevented last year, - Poroshenko in Bulgaria President Petro Poroshenko accuses Russia of preparing terrorist attacks in Ukraine. 5 820 24
Romania and Bulgaria concerned about implications of US-Russia talks for Black Sea - FT Romania and Bulgaria have expressed concern about the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, fearing changes in the Black Sea in favor of Moscow. 4 773 24 Previously in trend: Negotiations in Saudi Arabia
Government of Bulgaria handed over hundred armored vehicles to Ukraine in new package of military aid The new package of military aid from Bulgaria for the Armed Forces includes 100 armored vehicles, mostly armored personnel carriers. 5 417 24 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Ukraine did not receive Bulgaria’s refusal to sell reactors for Khmelnytskyi NPP - Halushchenko The issue of purchasing nuclear reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi NPP remains open - Ukraine has not yet received an official refusal to sell. 15 385 22 Previously in trend: Reactors for Khmelnytskyi NPP
Bulgarian Parliament’s Defense Committee supports provision of man-portable air-defence system and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine At a meeting on Thursday, the Defense Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament supported the provision of unusable, outdated or surplus man-portable air defense systems (MPADS) and anti-aircraft missiles of various types to Ukraine. 5 505 20 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Corruption Ze-rakes: Zelenskyy wants to buy Bulgaria’s reactors || Uncensored. VIDEO Why has Volodymyr Zelenskyy returned once again to the idea of purchasing Bulgarian nuclear reactors, which have long been dogged by allegations of corruption? 4 416 51 Previously in trend: Uncensored Mindichgate
In Bulgaria, vandals defaced monument to Shevchenko: Ukrainian embassy demands investigation. PHOTO The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Bulgaria condemned the act of vandalism against the monument to Taras Shevchenko in the center of Sofia and appealed to the competent authorities of the country to conduct an investigation and prosecute the customers and executors. 3 306 19
Bulgaria promises to increase military aid to Ukraine, - Bloomberg The new Bulgarian government will try to eliminate intermediaries in the supply of weapons to Ukraine in order to strengthen military support for Kyiv, departing from the position of previous governments and the country’s president. 2 333 19 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine
Missile fragment from Russian anti-aircraft missile "Pantsir" was carried by sea to beach in Bulgaria. PHOTO A fragment of a rocket from the Russian anti-aircraft missile complex "Pantsir-S1" was carried by the sea to the coast of Bulgaria between the cities of Pomorie and Aheloy. 16 273 19
Bulgaria recognized Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainian people On February 1, the Bulgarian parliament recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people. 2 605 18
Bulgaria’s Court arrested suspect in involvement in attack on Handziuk. PHOTO A court in the city of Burgas in Bulgaria arrested Oleksiy Moskalenko (Levin), who was wanted on suspicion of involvement in the attack on Kateryna Handziuk, for 40 days. 7 563 18 Previously in trend: Attack on Handziuk
Bulgarian government accused Russian Federation of bribing well-known figures Russia pays public figures, journalists, and politicians about 2,000 euros per month to spread its propaganda in the country. 6 751 18
There are weapons that Bulgaria is unlikely to be able to transfer to Ukraine, - Minister of Defense Tyagarev Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said that his country is ready to discuss any weapons with Ukraine, but there are certain weapons that it will not be able to transfer. 3 528 18 Previously in trend: War
When someone did not vote in favor of purchasing Russian reactor units for Khmelnytskyi NPP, members of parliament were sent "greetings" from president, - media A member of parliament from the "Servant of the People" party spoke about pressure from the Presidential Office during a parliamentary vote on the purchase of reactor units for the Khmelnytskyi NPP from Bulgaria. 13 056 29 Previously in trend: Reactors for KhNPP
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