Bulgaria and Romania found themselves this Friday, January 21 on the front of the international scene. The two countries joined NATO in 2004. While the Russian and American foreign ministers met in Geneva, Russia demanded the withdrawal of NATO troops from these former satellite countries of the USSR. Sofia called on Russia to lower tensions in Ukraine.
With our correspondent in Sofia, Damian Vodenitcharov
” Bulgaria is a sovereign country and we made our choice a long time ago when the country became a member of NATO “. This is how Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov reacted to demands for the withdrawal of Alliance troops.
For his part, Bulgarian President Roumen Radev judged that ” Russia’s insistence (…) is unacceptable and absurd “. “Our country does not accept an ultimatum from anyone.”
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In terms of foreign policy, Bulgaria must nevertheless manage its ties with the West and Russia, on which it is highly dependent for energy imports. The new Prime Minister has also displayed his pro-Western and above all pro-NATO orientation. His Defense Minister Stefan Yanev, however, adopted a more conciliatory tone vis-à-vis Russia.
Pro-Russian and pro-NATO public opinion
President Roumen Radev has already called for the lifting of sanctions against Russia. During an election debate in November, he even claimed that ” Crimea is none other than Russian “. Bulgarian public opinion remains strongly pro-Russian, but also pro-European and pro-NATO.
Romania also judged on Friday ” unacceptable » Russia’s request for the withdrawal of foreign NATO troops present on their soil, within the framework of a treaty that Moscow is demanding for a de-escalation of the Ukrainian crisis. ” Such a demand is unacceptable and cannot be part of the subjects of negotiation “Reacted the Romanian Foreign Ministry in a press release.
NATO rejects Russian demands to withdraw from Romania and Bulgaria
For its part, NATO rejected this Friday, January 21, Russia’s request for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Alliance present in Bulgaria and Romania and denounced the idea of spheres of influence in Europe, declared his spokesperson. ” NATO remains vigilant and continues to assess the need to strengthen the eastern part of our Alliance “Warned Oana Lungescu. ” Russia’s demands would create first and second class NATO members, which we cannot accept “, she explained.