Bulgarian parliament okays provision of military-technical assistance to Kyiv

Bulgaria’s Parliament voted on May 4 to mandate the government to implement a package of measures to assist Ukraine, including repairing Ukrainian military equipment at Bulgarian factories, Report informs referring to The Sofia Globe.

The proposal that was approved was tabled by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov’s We Continue the Change (WCC) party.

The WCC proposal was amended at the last minute on the basis of a letter sent to Parliament by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which set out six requests and did not include a request for Bulgaria to supply weaponry to his country.

The WCC version mandates the Cabinet to overcome the economic, financial and social aspects of sanctions, as well as ensure Bulgaria’s energy and food security.

It provides for continuation of Bulgarian support for Ukraine to join the European Union.

It envisages continued assistance for refugees, securing exports of Ukrainian grain through Bulgaria’s Black Sea port of Varna, and strengthening energy co-operation, in particular with importing supplies of electricity and natural gas from Ukraine.

It also provides for continued humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, in particular medicines, clothes and foodstuffs.