Prime Minister Rumen Radev meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels

Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the potential for industrial partnership and technology transfer to Bulgaria in drone production, according to a statement released after their bilateral meeting in Brussels, reported BTA.

At the same time, Bulgaria did not object to the renewal of all sanctions imposed on Russia so far, according to the conclusions on Ukraine adopted by European leaders.

During their meeting, Rumen Radev and Volodymyr Zelenskyy also discussed Bulgaria's key role in ensuring energy security in the region, including natural gas supplies and electricity generation and transmission.

Before the forum, Premier Radev stated that Bulgaria would veto the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia unless Patriarch Kirill of Moscow was removed from it.

For the first time, the EU extended its economic sanctions against Russia for a full 12 months, rather than the customary six-month period. The ban on imports of Russian crude oil by sea also remains in force, according to BGNES. The meeting of EU leaders continues on Friday, June 19.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov