site.btaGERB Leader Says He Is Ready to Assist in Return of Bulgarian Held by Ukrainian Authorities If He Renounces Ukrainian Citizenship

GERB leader Boyko Borisov has expressed willingness to assist in the return of Bulgarian Lyubomir Kirov to Bulgaria, as quoted by the party on its official Facebook page on Tuesday. According to Borisov, for this to happen, Kirov must renounce his Ukrainian citizenship. "I am ready to contact President Zelensky personally to find the most favorable solution," he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Bulgarian President’s Administration asked the Foreign Ministry to provide details about Kirov, a Bulgarian national who has allegedly been forcibly mobilized from the Ukrainian city of Odesa into the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ministry said that Kirov holds dual (Bulgarian and Ukrainian) citizenship and is subject to mobilization into the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Foreign Ministry explained that under Ukrainian law, people holding Ukrainian citizenship have certain obligations when they are in the country, including the duty to comply with mobilization orders. The Ministry said it is keeping up active communication with Kirov’s family and the competent Ukrainian institutions. The Ministry is following the case closely and making every effort within its powers to provide protection for Kirov’s rights.