site.btaPM Zhelyazkov to Ukrainian President: Bulgaria Continues to Support Ukraine's Efforts to Establish Just, Lasting Peace

Bulgaria continues to support Ukraine's efforts to establish a just and lasting peace, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, as quoted by the Government Information Service. Their talks were part of a series of bilateral meetings that the Bulgarian Prime Minister held in Tirana on the sidelines of the Sixth European Political Community Summit.

According to Zhelyazkov, establishing peace is not just a way to stop the war in Ukraine and restore its territorial integrity; it is a question related to Europe's security and the way Europe in the new geopolitical environment will build its security architecture, its defence capabilities.

In the course of his talks with President Zelenskyy, the Bulgarian Prime Minister underscored the importance of strengthening Europe's industrial military potential as part of structural guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the European continent.

The progress of the negotiations was also discussed at the meeting. The Bulgarian Prime Minister argued that the ceasefire is one of the prerequisites for peace negotiations to establish a clear and just peace for Ukraine and for the tranquillity of the European continent. According to Zhelyazkov, setting any preconditions could mine the fragile hope that exists at the beginning of these negotiations.

In Tirana, the Bulgarian Prime Minister also held meetings with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.