Ex-Bulgarian FM Solomon Passy: Crimea Part of Putin’s Expansionism

Bulgaria’s former Foreign Minister Solomon Passy believes Crimea’s accession into the Russian Federation is part of President Vladimir Putin’s expansionist policy.

“This referendum is neither the beginning, nor the end of Russian expansion. It is only another piece of it. In a similar fashion, South Ossetia and Abkhazia were annexed in 2008. The question is which is next”, Passy told Dariknews.

Solomon Passy, who is the founder and head of the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, also commented on the West’s actions.

“The big question is how long the West will tolerate all this. I am not a big supporter of sanctions, and I do not believe they have much of an effect. Often, they only lead to counter-sanctions”, Passy added.

The former Bulgarian top-diplomat believes that Crimea will be in Russia’s grip as long as Vladimir Putin is president, and no international actions can reverse the process.

Passy also called for a unified European position and policy towards Russia, especially in the energy sector.