Rumen Radev

"Ukraine insists on waging this war. But it should also be clear that the whole of Europe is paying the bill. And this war has many dimensions.

I say again, it is not only purely military - it has an economic, social and political dimension. It is a threat and a risk to all of Europe."

With the raising of the Bulgarian national flag, the Unification Monument - "Rozhen" pillar - was officially opened. The ceremony was accompanied by a live performance with historical paintings, a fireworks show and the raising of the Bulgarian national flag.

The pro-Russian political party "Vazrazhdane" has received help from "There Is Such a People" and the independent MP Radostin Vassilev to appeal to the Constitutional Court about the decision of the National Assembly to reject the proposal to call a referendum against the euro. This was announced by party leader Kostadin Kostadinov at a briefing on the sidelines of the parliament.

A Bulgarian Government Press Office photo shows Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov (R) welcoming Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Sofia, 6 July 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT

Days after the visit of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Bulgarian head of state Rumen Radev criticized the actions of both the government and parliament regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, as well as the organization surrounding the event itself.

In front of the Ukrainian president, his Bulgarian colleague Rumen Radev described the war in Ukraine, repeatedly calling it a "conflict" (and in most cases avoiding the word "war"). Later, Zelensky - who noticed what words his colleague chooses - added: "This is definitely a war."

The topics of security and defense were the focus of the meeting between Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. This is what Gabriel wrote in her Facebook profile.

"We expressed our solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people", added the foreign minister.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Sofia a few minutes ago.

He arrived in Bulgaria on a government plane with a flight from Chisinau.

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to Bulgaria and said he spoke with President Rumen Radev about the Ukrainian president's visa.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to Bulgaria on Thursday, several Bulgarian publications reported last night. However, the information was never confirmed by any institution. Only the Council of Ministers sent a message to the media that they could not confirm Zelensky's visit, but they did not deny it.