Ukraine’s Victory Is Key to Europe’s Security, Says Former PM Kostov

Tatiana Marinova, Konstantin Kostov

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov at "The Freedom of Ukraine" National Scientific Conference, Sofia, April 14, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

14.04.2025 14:03

(BTA)

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#Ukraine

Ukraine’s victory in the war against Russian aggression is a key element of Europe’s security, because without that, Europe will be exposed to a much greater threat from Russian hybrid and other forms of aggression, said former Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov (1997–2001). He was speaking Monday at the opening of the National Scientific Conference titled "The Freedom of Ukraine", taking place in Sofia.

The event is organized by the Department of New Bulgarian Studies of New Bulgarian University, with the support of the Association of the Officers in the Reserve “Atlantic” (AORA).

Kostov raised the question of whether the EU can guarantee its own security independently, without relying, or at least not to the same extent, on US military forces on the territory of Europe. He said that Europe can no longer think of the US in the same way as it did over the past 20–30 years, noting that the country is now challenged by China, which draws much of its efforts, attention, and political activity.

The former Prime Minister noted that the risk of stopping or reducing aid to Ukraine requires a systematic approach and managing this risk is not a one-off act. According to Kostov, the war between Russia and Ukraine will not end soon. “There is no way, given the positions we see of the countries involved,” he said.

/DD, MT/