Bulgaria has formally joined a joint international declaration supporting Ukraine ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, a move that prompted a swift clarification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) regarding the scope of the national position. The document, signed by over 50 nations including all 27 European Union member states and the EU itself, demands that Russia agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and engage in substantive peace negotiations.
Bulgaria Signs UN Declaration on Ukraine While Foreign Ministry Clarifies National Position Gap
According to a written statement released by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country’s delegation participated to maintain European unity, though officials noted that the text did not fully encompass the entirety of Bulgaria’s national stance. The formal Bulgarian national position was separately articulated by President Iliana Yotova, who heads the country’s delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly’s general political debates.
Contents of the UN Declaration and Regional Stances
The joint statement, published on the website of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was distributed prior to the UN Security Council session by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The text underscores international solidarity with Ukraine, reaffirms adherence to the UN Charter principles regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity, and highlights the legitimate right to self-defense.
Signatories expressed deep concern over escalating Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilian populations and critical infrastructure, which UN reports indicate have driven casualties to record highs in recent months. The declaration explicitly calls on Moscow to halt its aggression and join comprehensive peace talks grounded in international law. While all EU members backed the initiative, regional reporting indicates that non-EU Balkan neighbors such as Turkey, Serbia, and Kosovo did not appear on the published list of signatories.
Divergence Between MFA Statement and Presidential Address
Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova traveled to New York as part of the Bulgarian delegation alongside President Yotova. While the MFA emphasized that the joint declaration shares core principles defending international law and peace—values consistently backed by Sofia—it acknowledged a gap between the multi-state document and the specific nuance presented by the Bulgarian presidency.
During her address to the UN General Assembly, President Yotova addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine by urging that hostilities be shifted from the battlefield to diplomatic and political forums. Her remarks focused heavily on dialogue, negotiations, and security guarantees, distinguishing the presidential framing from the explicit demands for ceasefire terms outlined in the broader European and Ukrainian-backed statement.
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