/ world today news/ The Bulgarian socialists declared against the aggression of the Russian Federation and for the immediate cessation of hostilities
Today, the members of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament supported a resolution “regarding Russian aggression against Ukraine”. The resolution was supported by absolutely all parliamentary groups and adopted with an unprecedented majority of 637 votes “for” against 13 “against”.
The adopted resolution categorically condemns the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its invasion of the country in violation of international law, as well as the participation of Belarus in this aggression. With it, MEPs demand that Russia immediately cease all military actions in Ukraine, withdraw all military and paramilitary forces from the entire territory of Ukraine and respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the country.
As socialists, our greatest concern is the preservation of human life. We are convinced that every war is a tragic failure of the civilizational achievements of humanity, which brings us back to the worst. We are also convinced that lasting and sustainable peace cannot be built at the cost of thousands of victims, and the suffering, deprivation and trauma of millions, the members of the Delegation stated.
Guided by the above, we today supported the resolution which reflects our desire for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We categorically support the right of every nation to determine its own destiny, as well as to defend its home and homeland.
At the same time, our task is to avoid such conflicts and casualties. It is indisputable that the responsibility for military actions and their tragic consequences rests with the Russian president and the leadership of the Russian Federation. But it is also a failure of the overall security architecture in Europe and the post-World War II world. In seeking a solution to this crisis and preventing others, it is appropriate to ask why it has come to this and why the Minsk agreements have failed.
We regret to note that, apart from solidarity, today Europe unites around the idea of armament and war. The lessons of history seem to have been forgotten. We cannot accept that this is the only possible solution, even today. Every effort must be made to bring the ceasefire to a halt and the parties to return to the negotiating table. That is why we rejected a number of texts calling for an increase and acceleration of arms and military equipment exports to Ukraine, the red MEPs point out.
We are also convinced that some of the recommendations would have a detrimental effect on the European, including Bulgarian, economy. We did not support proposals to limit imports of Russia’s most important export goods, including oil and gas. It hardly needs to be noted that after nearly 10 years of governance, the GERB government has done almost nothing real for the diversification of the Bulgarian energy industry, and such a move will have severe consequences for the Bulgarian economy, as well as for every Bulgarian household and business.
The same applies to the proposed termination of cooperation with Russia in the nuclear field. This would make the operation of the Bulgarian nuclear power plant Kozloduy NPP impossible at a time when it is key to our energy balance.
Regarding the sanctions, the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists expresses concerns that they do not achieve the deterrent effect they should have on the Russian president and elite, but directly affect the entire population of Russia.
In our opinion, Russian society can play a key role in stopping this conflict. Dissenters have already stated their position in the squares of a number of Russian cities. That is why we supported a text with which the EP notes that Russia’s war against Ukraine is not supported by the Russian people, and calls on all political actors and the media not to incite hatred between people in Europe.
Media freedom is one of the core values we stand for in the EU, and the first casualty in any war is the truth. Therefore, we consider the proposed ban on Russian media in the EU, as well as content on social platforms, to be censorship and a show of weakness, not a fight against propaganda. We also believe that the proposed reduction in the number of Russian diplomatic and consular missions in the EU and member states would have the sole effect of hindering the possibility of dialogue with the Russian Federation.
The delegation calls for solidarity and help for all those who sought salvation from the conflict in neighboring countries and EU countries, including in Bulgaria.
In conclusion, the members of the Delegation note that the opposition to “philes” and “phobes” that has flared up again in recent days in Bulgarian society is harmful. It suffocates the possibility of reasonable debate, different opinions and arguments that would serve to make rational management decisions in the interest of Bulgaria. Both Europe and Bulgaria have long made their basic value and civilizational choice, and this is clearly visible today in the European Parliament, where the resolution was supported by absolutely all parliamentary groups.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP:
#delegation #Bulgarian #socialists #supported #resolution #war #Ukraine #rejected #texts #harmful #economy
