site.btaForeign Minister Hopes for End to Bloodshed in Ukraine, Says Russia Clearly Rejects Peace

Speaking to reporters in Blagoevgrad on Thursday, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev emphasized that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, NATO’s actions have been directed solely toward preventing further escalation, safeguarding the international legal order, ending the aggression, and upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a state that had been unjustifiably attacked.

Georgiev underscored that invoking Article 4 of the NATO Treaty does not signify an involvement in war. He explained that partners and allies remain in constant communication and stressed that the Alliance is in no way discussing the provocation of aggression. He added that while he hoped the end of the bloodshed was near, it was evident that the Russian Federation had no desire for peace.

According to the Minister, consultations under Article 4 are expected to be scheduled. Such measures, he noted, have been rarely invoked in the Alliance’s history. The purpose of these consultations is to identify the most appropriate and effective actions. Georgiev also said that strengthening Bulgaria’s defence capabilities and investing in them is essential for building deterrence, ensuring that no actor can assume it has the freedom to disregard international rules. “Unfortunately, we have learned that the Russian Federation continues to undermine the international security order,” he said.

The Minister further remarked that any violation of a country’s air sovereignty could be regarded as a provocation.

Finally, Georgiev expressed Bulgaria’s solidarity with Poland, noting that this represents the essence of NATO’s mission and the collective work of its members to guarantee the security and defence of the Alliance.