President Rosen Plevneliev said in London that the EU should adopt a strong and unified position in support of Ukraine. “We believe that Crimea is part of Ukraine and Ukraine is part of Europe. I am sure that the EU leaders will find the strength to categorically condemn this act of aggression and violation of international law, committed by the Russian Federation,” the Head of State told Bulgarian journalists in the British capital. The situation in Ukraine was among the basic topics discussed in the talks Rosen Plevneliev held with Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary William Hague.
“The world saw Crimea occupied by the Russian troops, an act followed by a referendum, which is illegitimate and fails to comply with the Ukrainian constitution and international law. We have witnessed the finalization of the process whereby the Russian Federation annexed Crimea and the town of Sevastopol,” the Head of State said. He was adamant that this act violates international law and is a serious breach of trust. “I categorically condemn this act, I neither accept nor acknowledge it and as President I cannot acknowledge Russia’s act of annexing Crimea. This is an illegitimate and unacceptable act and I believe that the EU will convey a strong message at the Summit at the end of the week,” Rosen Plevneliev was adamant.
According to the President, the change of the geo-strategic situation requires that the EU adopts an adequate policy on Russia. The EU must support the civil society, the democratic transition in Ukraine and guarantee that the upcoming elections in May are fair and honorable. “It is not the army of a third country but the Russian people that should decide what their future will be,” Plevneliev said.
The President further commented that a “red line” has been crossed regarding the rule of law in Ukraine. “The rule of law lies at the basis of all decisions and when it is attacked, trust is lost. Then we are obliged to react and adapt to the new reality,” Rosen Plevneliev said. However, he emphasized that the political dialogue should continue. “I believe that the EU will protect its values. The strongest basis of the 28 EU member states is the rule of law, which the Russian Federation violated in an aggressive and unacceptable manner before the very eyes of the whole world. We must identify the problem and protect our values,” the Head of State said and called on for supporting the civil society in Ukraine and for showing solidarity within the framework of a large-scale program in support of the Ukrainian institutions and market economy.
Rosen Plevneliev said that negotiating sanctions against the Russian Federation on a second level is “possible.” “An intensive dialogue is held and we should display a responsible attitude. The events unfolding in Ukraine will have a global impact and I expect the EU will adopt a bold and long-term mode of thinking, expressing solidarity and being aware that although trust will be lost in a short-term perspective, in the long run democratization will be achieved,” the President said.
In reply to a journalist question Rosen Plevneliev said that he would highly appreciate it if the Bulgarian parliament adopts a common position and the current lack of such represents a retreat from the commitments assumed by the political parties earlier. “We must pool efforts to adopt a common position on Ukraine in parliament. We cannot keep a low profile and weather the crisis because we are speaking about the foundation of the democratic state,” the President was adamant. He recalled that the meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security to be held on 24 March will discuss the risks posed to Bulgaria’s national security, which are provoked by the situation in Ukraine.