Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraine’s entry into NATO after its war with Russia is over. Czech President Petr Pavel said on Thursday that it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that soon as the war ends negotiations about NATO membership begin.
“I’m convinced that Ukraine will be part of NATO,” Zelenskyy said in Prague, adding that an “ideal” result of next week’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania would be an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.
Earlier Thursday, during a 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.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov emphasised 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 recognised 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 recognised 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.
