Moscow condemns the declaration of the Bulgarian National Assembly, by which the Russian Federation was declared a state sponsor of terrorism. This will not go unanswered, said today at a briefing the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova, quoted by TASS, writes BTA.
"The legislative bodies of a number of European countries made similar statements several years ago. Now the Bulgarian deputies, in an attempt to catch up with the locomotive of European Russophobia, albeit belatedly, have taken up the essentially wrong line of sticking the label "sponsor of terrorism" on Russia", added the spokeswoman for the foreign ministry.
In her words, Bulgaria's declaration is disconnected from reality. "Such loud and groundless accusations against our country usually aim to create the ground for new sanctions. Any aggressive lawlessness against our state, its citizens and property will not remain without an adequate response [...] Bulgarian parliamentarians must remember this and carefully assess their decisions from the point of view of the inevitable consequences," added Zakharova.
On July 23, the National Assembly adopted a declaration condemning the ongoing war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It was adopted with 112 votes "for", 52 - "against", 26 - "abstain". It condemns the political repressions of the regime of President Vladimir Putin and expresses the need to strengthen the national security and independence of Bulgaria. The draft declaration was submitted by "Continuing Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB).
In the declaration, the Bulgarian Parliament stands in solidarity with the European Parliament in designating the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism, expresses solidarity with Ukraine and supports international efforts to restore its sovereignty. The declaration categorically condemns the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the violation of international law and the war crimes committed by the regime of Vladimir Putin.
The document expresses the will of the Parliament for the full implementation of the sanctions regimes of the European Union (EU) and the international community against the Russian Federation, including with regard to property and assets owned or controlled by the Russian state on the territory of Bulgaria, and supports efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Bulgarian security services and institutions to effectively counter hybrid threats - propaganda, disinformation and unacceptable influence of foreign countries. The need to accelerate reforms in the "security" sector is emphasized, including increasing cybersecurity capacity and strengthening control over strategic sites with a potentially risky profile. Bulgaria's strategic commitment to NATO, the EU and the Three Seas Initiative is also confirmed, including through modernization of the Armed Forces and enhancement of national defense capabilities.