Zelenskyy visits Bulgaria and draws support for Kyiv’s NATO membership bid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed military aid and possible membership in NATO with Bulgarian officials during meetings in Bulgaria’s capital at the invitation of the country’s new pro-Western government that was sworn in a month ago

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed military aid Thursday during a trip to the Bulgarian capital in which Bulgaria’s parliament expressed its support for Ukraine’s entry into NATO after its war with Russia is over.

During his brief visit at the invitation of Bulgaria's new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Zelenskyy also discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraine’s right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

“Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred,” Zelenskyy said. “This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules”, he added.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov emphasized the support of his country, an European Union and NATO member, for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

“Bulgaria is consistent in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine because we are convinced that an independent and sovereign Ukraine is key for Euro-Atlantic security in the region,” Denkov said after the talks.

“Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognized borders and should bear its responsibility,” he added.

Also on Thursday, Bulgaria’s Parliament approved a declaration of support for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance once the war is over.

According to the declaration, the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe is Russia’s full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognized borders of the affected sovereign states.

The declaration, which was backed by a majority in Parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself.

The document was opposed by the Socialist party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.

Later in the day, Zelenskyy faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgaria's largely ceremonial president, Rumen Radev.

“I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it,” Radev said. He called for “consistent efforts to deescalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.”

Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion. Large parts of the population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.

Zelenskyy was expected in Prague later Thursday for talks with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.