Ukrainian President Zelensky to Discuss War and Agricultural Trade with Turkish and Bulgarian Leaders
On Friday, President Zelensky will visit Istanbul to hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the future of the agreement on the transportation of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Black Sea, which Turkey helped negotiate.
Later in the day, Zelensky arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he will engage in detailed discussions with Prime Minister Nikolaj Denkov, President Rumen Radev, government officials, lawmakers, politicians, and journalists. The president emphasized the topics of defense support, Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the NATO summit, security guarantees, and the implementation of the peace plan. Kyiv is striving for a clear signal from NATO at the upcoming summit in Vilnius that Ukraine will be able to join the Alliance in the future.
In response to Zelensky’s trip to Bulgaria, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Kyiv is doing everything possible to involve as many countries as possible in the war. The conflict was sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
“Many countries have already become involved in this conflict, either directly or indirectly,” said the spokesperson for the Russian president. He added that Zelensky’s negotiations would not have a significant impact on the “special military operation,” as Moscow refers to its military aggression against Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian news outlet Pravda, Zelensky flew to Sofia on a Bulgarian government plane from the Moldovan capital, Chisinau. Moldova borders the southwestern part of Ukraine. The president arrived in the Bulgarian capital shortly after noon local time (11:00 CEST).
Politico previously reported that the talks would focus on arms supplies to Ukraine and cooperation regarding nuclear power plants. The meeting between Zelensky and Radev was described as potentially tense, as the Bulgarian president is considered pro-Russian and has been opposed to arming Kyiv.
Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and NATO, has been exporting a significant amount of ammunition to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion last year, mainly through intermediaries. Euractiv previously noted that Bulgaria does not provide Ukraine with fighter jets or tanks but mainly supplies old ammunition that is still usable. The Bulgarian army is one of the few within NATO that still has large stocks of ammunition for old Soviet weapons, which Ukraine extensively uses.
The new Minister of Defense, Todor Tagarev, stated in an interview with state television BNT a few days ago that Bulgaria will increase military assistance to Ukraine this year. He added that the weapons would be sent after Sofia completes an analysis of the Ukrainian army’s needs and evaluates the assistance that the Bulgarian army is capable of providing.
Prime Minister Nikolaj Denkov’s government, which is strongly pro-Ukrainian according to Politico, took office in early June after two pro-Western coalitions – the GERB coalition led by former Prime Minister Bojko Borisov and the There Is Such a People party – announced an agreement to form a government following complex negotiations.Ukrajinský prezident Volodymyr Zelenskyj se v pátek vydá na diplomatickou cestu do Istanbulu a Sofie, kde se setká s tureckým prezidentem Recepem Tayyipem Erdoganem a bulharským prezidentem Rumenem Radevem. Hlavním tématem jednání bude válka na Ukrajině a budoucnost dohody o přepravě ukrajinských zemědělských produktů přes Černé moře.
Zelenskyj se setká s Erdoganem v Istanbulu, kde se budou zabývat situací na Ukrajině a možnostmi spolupráce mezi oběma zeměmi. Turecko pomohlo dojednat dohodu o přepravě ukrajinských zemědělských produktů přes Černé moře, a proto je důležité projednat další kroky v této oblasti.
Po setkání v Istanbulu se Zelenskyj vydá do Sofie, kde se setká s bulharským prezidentem Radevem a premiérem Nikolajem Denkovem. Hlavními tématy jednání budou podpora obrany Ukrajiny, euroatlantická integrace, summit NATO a bezpečnostní záruky. Ukrajina usiluje o jasný signál od NATO, že bude moci v budoucnu vstoupit do Aliance.
Jednání Zelenského s bulharskými politiky může být napjaté, jelikož bulharský prezident Radev je označován za proruského a staví se odmítavě k vyzbrojování Ukrajiny. Bulharsko je členem Evropské unie a Severoatlantické aliance a poskytuje Ukrajině munici od začátku ruské invaze. Nicméně, Bulharsko neposkytuje stíhačky ani tanky, ale především starou munici, která je stále použitelná.
Nový bulharský ministr obrany Todor Tagarev nedávno oznámil, že Bulharsko navýší vojenskou pomoc Ukrajině poté, co dokončí analýzu potřeb ukrajinské armády a zhodnotí, jakou pomoc je bulharská armáda schopna poskytnout.
Zelenskyj se snaží získat podporu co nejvíce zemí v boji proti ruské invazi na Ukrajinu. Jeho jednání s Erdoganem a bulharskými politiky mohou přispět k posílení mezinárodní solidarity s Ukrajinou a k nalezení řešení konfliktu.
How might Zelensky’s visit to Bulgaria and discussions with Turkish and Bulgarian leaders at the NATO summit affect Ukraine’s chances of receiving support for its entry into the Alliance
Party of TV personality Slavi Trifonov – failed to form a government. Denkov’s government has already shown its support for Ukraine by publicly condemning Russia’s aggression and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Zelensky’s visit to Bulgaria comes just days before the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Ukraine hopes to receive a clear signal of support for its entry into the Alliance. The Ukrainian president, along with his counterparts from Turkey and Bulgaria, will likely discuss their expectations and strategies for the summit.
The talks in Istanbul and Sofia are crucial for Ukraine as it navigates the ongoing conflict with Russia and seeks to strengthen its ties with countries in the region. Turkey has been a key ally for Ukraine, both diplomatically and economically, and the negotiations on the transportation of agricultural products through the Black Sea highlight the importance of their relationship. Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s support, despite its complex relationship with Russia, is crucial for Ukraine’s defense and military needs.
As Zelensky engages in discussions with Turkish and Bulgarian leaders, it is clear that Ukraine’s focus remains on resolving the conflict and seeking international support. The outcomes of these talks may have a significant impact on the future of Ukraine’s security and its relationship with NATO and the EU.
President Zelenskyj’s visit to Istanbul and Sofia signifies Ukraine’s determination to explore its future path, including potential NATO membership. These discussions are crucial for Ukraine’s stability, security, and regional cooperation. Exciting times lie ahead as Ukraine paves its way towards a stronger partnership with NATO and maps out its future trajectory.
Zelenskyj’s visit to Istanbul and Sofia holds immense significance as it signals discussions on Ukraine’s future and its potential NATO membership. This diplomatic engagement promises a renewed hope for Ukrainian aspirations and reinforces its commitment towards regional stability and security.