President Zelensky thanked Bulgaria for its support for Ukraine

"Thank you, Bulgaria, for supporting and protecting the lives of our people! Thank you to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the entire government and the National Assembly!" With these words, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Bulgarian Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov Today. President Zelensky is on a one-day visit to Sofia at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

"Invaders came to our land, they kill, torture, kidnap Ukrainian children, separate them from their families and try to teach them hatred," the guest added. "This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build a rules-based international order. Everyone who wants peace for themselves and their people must know that unity is the right way," the Ukrainian president said.
He specifically thanked the military aid to Ukraine and stressed that it was for defence, not offence. "Every country has the right to defend itself. Everyone has the right to defend their children," Zelensky said, and it is Bulgaria's sovereign decision whether to help another country.
Prime Minister Acad. Denkov expressed his and the Bulgarian government's solidarity with Ukraine's struggle against the military aggression of the Russian Federation. "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," the Prime Minister stressed. "Our country cannot stand idly by and watch the suffering of millions of people just a few hundred kilometres from our borders," he added.
Ensuring the rights of the Bulgarian national minority in Ukraine remains an unwavering Bulgarian priority. Acad. Denkov expressed hope that the legitimate interests of our compatriots will be duly taken into account in the reform process, including in the development of the overall legal framework on the protection of the rights of national minorities in Ukraine.
Bulgaria and Ukraine agreed to intensify their cooperation in the defence sector. The two leaders discussed the next package of military aid for the Ukrainian army. Our country will continue to assist Ukraine in several other areas - healthcare, education, ecology, energy. "We will continue talks on Ukrainian soldiers to be treated in Bulgaria and training of Ukrainian medical personnel to be conducted here," President Zelensky said.
Bulgaria is also committed to participating in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction. Our country can offer expertise and material assistance for energy and transport infrastructure. Bulgarian companies are ready to help in the restoration and conservation of affected cultural monuments in Ukraine.
President Zelensky and Prime Minister Acad. Denkov signed a bilateral political declaration in support of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration when this becomes possible. "We know from our own experience the transformative power of membership in strong organizations such as the European Union and NATO. The enlargement process must go along with the reform process in the candidate country," the Bulgarian prime minister said and pledged support in Ukraine's preparations for its inclusion in the two alliances. /BGNES