site.btaCaretaker Foreign Minister Neynsky Considers Making Working Visit to Ukraine

Caretaker Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky said she is considering making a working visit to Ukraine. She spoke to Bulgarian journalists on Monday in Brussels, where she took part in a meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council.

"The cause of Ukraine is very close to my heart," Neynsky said. She noted that she had considered travelling with the EU delegation to Kyiv on Tuesday, but due to other official commitments will probably visit Ukraine in March together with the other EU foreign ministers.

"There are all kinds of peace – there is 'Russian peace', and there is peace based on international law and with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russia wants 'Russian peace' - it wants to negotiate in order to impose its own rules. Russia's war against Ukraine is the first phase of a plan publicly declared by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to attack European security," Neynsky commented.

She noted that on Monday the European foreign ministers discussed the spread of disinformation and hybrid attacks. Attempts to introduce fake news primarily undermine the enlargement process (of the EU), seek to weaken support for Ukraine, and most importantly, disinformation aims to instil fear among people, Neynsky summarized. "Bulgaria is close to the Western Balkans and the theatre of military operations in Ukraine and the Black Sea, and for us the issue of hybrid attacks is extremely important, especially in view of the approaching parliamentary elections and the presidential elections that will follow," the caretaker Minister added.

Commenting on the work of the Board of Peace established by US President Donald Trump, Neynsky clarified that finding a solution with regard to Gaza is of key importance. "Bulgaria supports peace for Gaza, as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council," she said. "As regards expanding the scope of the Board [of Peace], we have our reservations concerning the legal aspects of what is being proposed," she added.

Regarding her meeting later on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the caretaker Minister noted that she would brief him on issues related to security in Bulgaria. "For me, the Black Sea strategy and the measures being taken are of utmost importance," Neynsky said. According to her, acts of sabotage against infrastructure in the Western Balkan countries and the undermining of trust in democratic processes affect the desire for accession to the EU.