Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that countries in Southeast Europe must do everything possible to prevent Russia from imposing on Ukraine a future reminiscent of the dark Soviet era.
He stated at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa on Wednesday that the security and stability of the entire region were at stake, Ukrinform reports.
Zhelyazkov noted that Ukraine had been resisting Russian aggression for more than 1,200 days, demonstrating exceptional courage and resilience.
He noted that, due not only to geography but also to shared historical fate, the countries of the region understand all too well what is at stake. According to him, Southeast Europe has already experienced the far-reaching consequences of the war. Regional security has been undermined, and local economies have been challenged by energy market disruptions, inflation, and declining trade.
Zhelyazkov warned that Russia is waging ongoing hybrid warfare, aiming to sow division in societies through the spread of disinformation. He recalled that such malign tactics were nothing new — the region had lived through a grim era in which the Soviet regime dictated every aspect of life and crushed individual destinies. For that reason, he stressed, the region must ensure that Russia does not succeed in pushing such a hopeless future upon Ukraine or the rest of Europe.
Zhelyazkov also underscored the importance of defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and called for redoubled efforts to secure a just and lasting peace.
He stated that now more than ever, Europe needed to stand united — not only in its solidarity with Ukraine but also in its commitment to building a democratic, resilient, and prosperous future for all. He added that the countries of the region must collectively strengthen both Ukraine and themselves by upholding the values that define Southeast Europe: freedom, stability, and democracy.
The fourth Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, chaired by President Volodymyr Zelensky, took place in Odesa on June 11.
Source: Bulgaria's PM: Russia must not be allowed to impose dark Soviet future on Ukraine
