So far, more than 500 Bulgarian citizens have requested an evacuation from Ukraine. 363 are our compatriots who have expressed a desire to be evacuated from Kyiv and about 150 people – from Odessa. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Irena Dimitrova at a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on current information on the situation in Ukraine. Our compatriots will be transported in stages by four buses from Kyiv and by three buses from Odessa.
“We are ready to continue with different options depending on how the situation on the territory of Ukraine will develop. Our country works in close cooperation with the embassies of Romania, the United States, Great Britain and Ukraine, so as to provide the fastest possible assistance to our compatriots who want to leave the country”, said Irena Dimitrova.
The director of the Situation Center at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anton Markov also provided up-to-date information on the situation in Ukraine. “At any moment, the buses from Odessa will leave for Bulgaria with about 130 people. We are also working to provide two more buses with which more Bulgarian citizens will be transported from the city tomorrow”, he explained. Four buses are also provided, which are currently near the border with Ukraine and travel to Kyiv. Steps have also been taken to simplify the regime of entry into Bulgaria in view of the anti-epidemic measures related to COVID-19.
Our embassy in the Ukrainian capital also houses Bulgarian citizens who are assisted by the Bulgarian diplomatic mission.
During the briefing, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also announced that yesterday the position of our country on the crisis with Ukraine was presented personally to the Ambassador of Russia to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova.
The Republic of Bulgaria strongly condemns the aggressive and unprovoked armed attack that Russia has launched against Ukraine. We consider this to be a gross violation of international law and an act of aggression against an independent state. We reaffirm our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and call on Russia to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw its forces, said Deputy Minister Dimitrova. As a sign of solidarity at 7pm the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be lit with the colors of the flag of Ukraine.
Regarding the incident with the Euroferi Olympia ferry in Greece, Deputy Minister Dimitrova pointed out that according to the latest information, 4 bodies were found, and DNA tests were performed on three of them to establish their identity. According to our consulate in Thessaloniki, 6 more people are wanted. “The operation is still ongoing. The Bulgarian Embassy in Athens and the Consulate General in Thessaloniki are in contact with the competent institutions and continue to provide assistance to the relatives of the people”, said the Deputy Minister.
