Radev urged the government not to allow the closure of the Russian embassy
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has called on Prime Minister Petkov to convene a government meeting in order to prevent the closure of the Russian embassy, the Diary reports. It is necessary to take into account the risks of escalation and their economic consequences, he advised.
President Rumen Radev appealed to Prime Minister Kirill Petkov to convene a government meeting on the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomatic workers and gave him recommendations for making a decision:
"This decision should take into account the challenges of national security and the long-term interests of Bulgaria and thousands of Bulgarian citizens living in the Russian Federation. It is unacceptable that they remain without diplomatic representation. It is unacceptable that decisions concerning the security of Bulgaria do not take into account the risks of escalation and their economic consequences."
The appeal followed an ultimatum from Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova – Bulgaria must withdraw notes declaring almost two-thirds of Russian diplomatic, consular and technical staff in the country undesirable by 12:00 on July 1.
Ms. Mitrofanova threatened that the government's decision could lead to the closure of the embassy in Sofia and even to the severance of diplomatic relations. If this happens, Bulgaria will also have to close its embassy in Moscow, and another country will represent Bulgarian interests there. But in an interview with BNT, Mitrofanova clearly stated that this is only her hypothesis, and how everything will turn out depends on the Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Such drastic actions in Europe against a country belonging to the EU and NATO cannot take place without a corresponding decision of the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin personally.
By emphasizing "unacceptable," President Radev is actually taking Russia's side. Since no one in Bulgaria has any influence on the processes in Moscow, his appeal takes on the meaning of agreeing with Bulgaria's rejection of an unprecedented decision.
"The responsibility for the decision lies entirely with the retired government, which performs its functions in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria and the oath taken before the People's Assembly," Radev added.
Earlier, his position on where the decision should be made was different: "The People's Assembly is the body that controls the Council of Ministers."
