18/03/2024 Rosen Zhelyazkov: The new wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine puts back on the agenda the issue of increasing the pressure of the international community

18/03/2024

The new wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine puts back on the agenda the issue of increasing the pressure of the international community for fulfilment of the international obligations undertaken by the aggressor.. This is what the President of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov said at a meeting with the President of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk in Vienna. The President of the Bulgarian Parliament participated in the Ninth Speakers' Conference in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) in the Austrian capital.

I have been following with deep concern the news of increased Russian attacks in the Odessa region in recent days, Rosen Zhelyazkov noted. He expressed his sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims and hoped for a speedy recovery of those injured by the Russian air strikes. Our concern is even greater because this is one of the regions where the largest Bulgarian diaspora lives outside our country, the President of Parliament added.

Bulgaria strongly condemns the relentless Russian terror with missiles and drones unleashed against the civilian population of Ukraine and its critical civil infrastructure, Rosen Zhelyazkov stressed. He noted that Ukraine is paying a painfully high price in human lives to defend the values of freedom and democracy in Europe. Russia must bear full responsibility for all its crimes in Ukraine, the National Assembly President said.

The pressure on Russia to return to full compliance with its international obligations should be strengthened and enhanced by legitimate means, and the fight against impunity should continue, Rosen Zhelyazkov stressed. In his words, sanctions remain one of the most powerful tools for increasing influence over Russia in response to its illegal and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. Our common goal remains the same - to hinder Moscow's ability to finance its aggressive war, the President added.

Rosen Zhelyazkov pointed out that Bulgaria supports all thirteen EU sanctions packages imposed so far on Russia. We believe that the EU must maintain its unified and strong response in solidarity with Ukraine, including with additional EU restrictive measures against Moscow, he added.

Bulgaria has consistently supported Ukraine in all dimensions - political, financial, military, humanitarian and diplomatic, and has clearly stated its will to continue to do so for as long as necessary, the President of Parliament recalled. The most eloquent evidence of this are the seven decisions already adopted by the highest body of Bulgarian democracy - the National Assembly, he added. In these acts, Bulgaria expresses its readiness to support Ukraine and its people not only during hostilities, but also during the recovery of the economy, infrastructure and the energy sector, as well as on the road to EU membership, Rosen Zhelyazkov stressed.

The President of the National Assembly noted to his Ukrainian counterpart his concerns that the provisions of the Law on National Minorities of Ukraine adopted in December 2023 do not provide for funding from the state budget to study the language of the national minority. Bulgarians in the Odessa region number over 150,000 people and are third in number according to the official census in Ukraine in 2001, Rosen Zhelyazkov stressed and added that it is important to preserve the principle of equality of national minorities. I believe that with joint efforts, understanding and goodwill, the optimal balance can be found and the right of Bulgarians in Ukraine to learn their mother tongue, to preserve their lifestyle, culture and history will be guaranteed, the President of Parliament said.