Bulgaria does not give anything for free for Ukraine, Bulgaria sells equipment. This was said in "Osche du dzien" on BNT by EPP MEP Andrey Novakov about the agreement reached by the leaders of the European Union on granting an interest-free loan to Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros, instead of using frozen Russian assets.
We are number one in Europe in ammunition production, we are number one in revenue from military equipment, 1% of our gross domestic product comes from this industry, 70,000 families earn their living this way. This is important and I want it to continue, Novakov said, quoted by novini.bg.
Bulgaria has taken the place of pragmatists – to support the victim in every possible way. You cannot take something illegal, like Russia, which, after signing a number of agreements, wants to take Ukrainian regions. A way must be found to use the frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine, he added.
Support for Ukraine should be financial, humanitarian, but not military, noted MEP from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Kristian Vigenin.
In the end, we have come to what we have been calling for in recent years – to negotiate, to seek a solution. In some form, we will find a solution that should guarantee Ukraine's security in the future. The moment peace returns to Ukraine, we must be among the countries that will engage in the process of rebuilding the country. This process will last for many years, Vigenin pointed out.
In my opinion, the situation in Ukraine has largely shocked European countries and has given an opportunity to work quickly and effectively on many defense-related issues, so as not to give anyone a chance to affect our security. Currently, there is talk not only about pure defense, but also about many things related to defense, with dual use. Let us in Europe be ready and strong, so that our voice is heard at the global defense table. We have the opportunity to build an unprecedented European defense union, we must be ready to take care of our own security, the MEP commented.
When you arm yourself enough, no one will dare to enter, and in recent years Europe has become a very easy victim. The right path for Bulgaria is to make decisions in Sofia and uphold them abroad, added Andrey Novakov.