site.btaMarches in Support of Ukraine Take Place throughout Country, Political Forces Issue Statements

Marches in support of Ukraine took place in the capital and many cities in Bulgaria. Political forces made statements on the occasion of one year since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military invasion of Ukraine. Moscow called it this a special military operation.
In Sofia, the march in support of Ukraine began with chants of "This Is Not Moscow" Supporters of Ukraine Ivo Indjev, Georgi Georgiev from the BOEC movement and Ivan Kalchev spoke to those gathered in front of the presidency. The participants called for the impeachment of President Rumen Radev and for a recall of Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova from Bulgaria. They also called for weapons to be sent to Ukraine. Due to the procession in Sofia, traffic in the area Eagles Bridge was blocked.

The date was also marked by the refugees from Ukraine in Burgas. They gathered in front of the municipality building, and their short demonstration went under the motto "Burgas: Bulgaria Stands with Ukraine!". At Atanas Sirekov Square, mothers with small children painted a dove with outstretched wings. Shoes were also left out as a symbol of human lives lost.

A march mottoed: "No to Russian Terror! Bulgaria Stands with Ukraine!" also took place in Ruse. The gathering point was in front of the building of the Ruse Museum of History. From there, the procession passed through the central pedestrian street of the city to arrive in front of the Freedom Monument.
As a sign of support for the Ukrainian people, the municipal administration building in Stara Zagora was lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. At  6 pm a peaceful procession also started from the square in front of the municipality.

On the occasion of one year since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, some political forces came out with official positions:

From the first day, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has consistently stood for a policy based on the principles of support for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, for refraining from providing arms to belligerents, against the imposition of economic sanctions, for de-escalation efforts, BSP said in its position. 

A year ago, Russia destroyed peace and security in Europe with the unprovoked and brutal military aggression against Ukraine, read the declaration of the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria coalition. They declare that they will defend Bulgaria's position as a loyal member of NATO and the EU and will make every effort to ensure compliance with the decision of the National Assembly to provide military technical assistance to Ukraine.

The Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) said that one year later, the score card is: destruction, death and millions of ruined lives. The party recalled that they were the first among the political forces to call on Bulgaria to provide military aid to Ukraine.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Mustafa Karadayi said on Facebook: "Unfortunately, in the 21st century, we are once again witnessing a war in Europe, which has taken tens of thousands of innocent lives, is on the way to collapse a European state - Ukraine, and plunged the old continent into an energy, food and social crisis".

"In this aggression and in this conflict, in is not possible to not pick a side" stated GERB leader Boyko Borisov on the occasion of the war in Ukraine. At a briefing at the party's headquarters, he indicated that the municipal councilors from GERB in the Sofia Municipal Council joined the request of the councilors from Democratic Bulgaria, submitted three years ago, to dismantle the Monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia.