MFA: Moscow's criticism is part of a propaganda rhetoric

Yesterday's statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Bulgarian parliament's decision to supply arms to Ukraine was described as propaganda rhetoric by Deputy Foreign Minister Kostadin Kodzhabashev. The Kremlin statement said the vote was "another unfriendly act that will lead to a further deterioration of the already deplorable bilateral relations". Kodzhabashev pointed out that Bulgaria had been on Russia's list of so-called unfriendly countries even before the National Assembly's decision to provide military aid.

He added that Russia's statement yesterday further escalated the situation. According to Minister Kodzhabashev, bilateral relations with Russia are indeed at their lowest point and "essentially all cooperation is de facto suspended." /BGNES