Ivan Anchev: Zelensky's visit is symbolic and historic, Radev will fall into international isolation

Ivan Anchev: Zelensky's visit is symbolic and historic, Radev will fall into international isolation

The visit of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is symbolic and historic, said Ivan Anchev, a diplomat, PhD in national security and a long-time overseas representative of the Interior Ministry in the US, Canada and Mexico, in the morning show of BGNES.

"It is symbolic because it shows the democratic world that Bulgaria is a very important ally of Ukraine and has an important role in the war. Why it is historic is because it confirms Bulgaria's place in NATO. The decision that was taken by the government of Ivan Kostov," Anchev underlined. He added that the visit shows that "Ukraine has an important ally here."

"This visit shows that we are an important ally. We have to look not only at military aid, but also aid to Ukraine after the war. Which is important because of the Bulgarian minority there, but also because we see Ukraine as part of the European family," he said.

"If we help Ukraine to rebuild faster, we will further hit Putinism," Ivan Anchev added. The diplomat also commented on the importance of the Bulgarian military industry.

"I expect that we will soon start producing 155 mm shells, in addition to 152 mm, so we are useful to Ukraine. We have a historically strong military-industrial complex. This will be positive for Bulgaria, we don't want to stay with our outdated armaments. It is ridiculous to still have these weapons," Anchev said and described the meeting between Rumen Radev and Zelensky as terrible.

"For me it was a terrible meeting. It matters to Radev for domestic reasons, not so much to the international community. He wants to show the domestic audience , that he is still strong, that he can meet the man of the "moment". I am sure Radev will fall into international isolation. His behaviour will not change, this is his political game", Anchev concluded. / BGNES