Bulgaria defends sovereign decision on Ukraine aid

"The Bulgarian government's position on assistance to Ukraine is unified. All available mechanisms at the European level should be used to achieve a lasting peace with Russia," Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told reporters. She said all institutions were working towards that goal and dismissed suggestions of divisions within the government, saying such claims might be politically convenient but had nothing to do with reality.

Responding to criticism that the decision to halt military aid to Ukraine could damage Bulgaria's standing within the European Union and NATO, Petrova said any future decisions on military, technical or humanitarian assistance would be taken in line with established procedures.

• Bulgaria will no longer provide weapons to Ukraine
• Kyiv expects military cooperation to continue on commercial basis

Asked whether the decision had been coordinated with Bulgaria's partners, she replied: "This is our sovereign decision, based on our capabilities. We are not a country that reports to others what it will or will not do."

Commenting on Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova's visit to the Foreign Ministry the previous day, Petrova said she had not met with the envoy because the talks had taken place below ministerial level.

"The important thing about that meeting is that Bulgaria made its position clear — that a peaceful solution must be found and that the military actions must stop," Petrova said.

Editor: Diana Tsankova