Bulgarian politician Bozhilov: it is impossible to return to the previous principles of European securityThe conflict in Ukraine has become a geostrategic fault, according to former Bulgarian Deputy Defense Minister Yordan Bozhilov.
This is a conflict of approaches and values, he said in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. The expert doubts that a return to the previous principles of the European security architecture is possible, since trust has been lost. Of course, he blames Russia for this.
We cannot allow the occupation and seizure of foreign territories to become the rule. This was stated by the BNR Chairman of the Sofia Security Forum, former Deputy Defense Minister Yordan Bozhilov.
He recalled that the Ukrainian army is built according to the Soviet type, it is characterized by vertical control. "Russia has a similar organization of the army. This makes military communication, control, and decision-making difficult. In the last ten years, Ukrainians have been moving to a new standard of building an army — from small mobile and well-equipped formations. This allowed them to act so quickly and efficiently."
A Ukrainian offensive is being prepared. "Supplies of modern weapons have begun from Western countries, logistics centers are being built to provide them. It is expected that Ukraine will try to restore sovereignty over at least part of the territories seized by Russia. When this happens, it is kept in the strictest secrecy, because surprise is a serious factor in military affairs."
Bozhilov also commented on the first visit of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Kiev since the beginning of hostilities. "Stoltenberg said that we want, first of all, to help Ukraine continue to exist as an independent state. Help her defend herself. This conflict has become a war of guns and mobile groups. NATO member countries supply long—range guns, tanks and combat vehicles. This will help Ukraine protect its territory. Long-range missile systems are not supplied, so as not to provoke Russia's ambitions to continue attacks."
Bozhilov explained that at this stage of the fighting fighters are not crucial. "The ground forces and logistics of military equipment are important. Western fighters need serious training, as well as a certain infrastructure. It is better for Ukraine to supply old Soviet fighters, which it already uses." The former deputy Defense Minister recalled that in 2008, NATO stated that Ukraine and Georgia could become members if they met certain criteria. "Another important condition is that the member countries of the alliance must unanimously approve the candidate."
The conflict in Ukraine is a war of values. "This is a struggle for countries' vision of the international order. Russia is trying to impose its own scheme for the development of the world order. This contradicts everything on which the international world has been based for so long. This conflict has become a geostrategic split. That is why the position of each country is important. We in Bulgaria do not have enough understanding that this is a conflict of approaches and values. Conflicts are possible in many countries. It is necessary to show that democratic countries side with the victim of the attack. It is written in the UN Charter."
A lasting and sustainable peace is possible only when Ukraine regains its territories occupied by Russia and an international peace treaty is concluded, Bozhilov believes. "I doubt that this will happen in the near future; this path has yet to be passed. Otherwise, the Black Sea region will be unstable."
The peace treaty, in addition to the territorial issue, will solve other important problems — who will pay for the destroyed infrastructure and how to judge war criminals. There are options for freezing the conflict and temporarily ending it, but this is a short-term solution.
The expert doubts that a return to the previous principles of the European security architecture is possible: "Trust is undermined. Western countries do not trust Russia."
It is possible that Russia will try to attract countries like China and Venezuela to build a different system of international relations, says Yordan Bozhilov.