Bulgaria has agreed to offer the Ukrainian military with some 100 armored personnel carriers, marking a turnaround in its coverage on sending navy tools for the nation’s battle in opposition to the Russian invasion
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria has agreed to offer the Ukrainian military with some 100 armored personnel carriers, marking a turnaround in its coverage on sending navy tools to the nation to help Kyiv’s battle in opposition to the Russian invasion.
The parliament in Sofia late Friday authorized by 148 votes to 52 the federal government’s proposal to make the primary cargo of heavy navy tools to Ukraine because the starting of the struggle.
“This tools is not obligatory for the wants of Bulgaria, and it may be of significant help to Ukraine in its battle to protect the nation’s independence and territorial integrity after the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression,” the Parliament’s resolution mentioned.
The Soviet-made armored automobiles have been delivered within the Nineteen Eighties to Bulgaria — then an ally of the Soviet Union within the Warsaw Pact.
Bulgaria, which joined NATO in 2004, nonetheless maintains shares of Soviet-designed weapons and has quite a few factories making ammunition for them.
Though Parliament authorized within the precept on the finish of final 12 months the availability of navy help to Ukraine, it left the choice in regards to the parameters of such help to the manager.
Direct arms provides to Kyiv have been rejected by earlier interim governments, appointed by President Rumen Radev. He’s sympathetic to Russia and just lately mentioned that Kyiv was to be blamed for the struggle and that supplying arms to Ukraine solely prolongs the battle.
However the brand new pro-Western authorities has now determined to ship the armored automobiles to Ukraine together with armaments and spare elements.
“We should give armored personnel carriers to Ukraine as a result of Ukrainians are combating not just for their freedom but in addition for ours,” mentioned liberal lawmaker Ivaylo Mirchev.
The choice sparked criticism from the Socialist celebration and pro-Moscow nationalists from the Revival celebration who voted in opposition to it.
“I don’t suppose we may help Ukraine with navy selections and sending navy tools, however we may help it as a peace mediator, as a rustic that has particular relations with either side,” mentioned the deputy speaker of the Nationwide Meeting and of the Socialist Get together, Kristian Vigenin, on Saturday.
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Observe AP’s protection of the struggle in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine