the NATO and the EU Ukraine has got another enemy. This time Kiev has managed to quarrel with Bulgaria. The cause of the conflict was Ukraine’s desire to divide the district, which is densely populated by the Bulgarian community. Thus, it will not only split, but will lose the ethnic majority in the new territories. Earlier, Kiev has quarreled with Budapest due to living in the Ukraine for the Hungarians.
Kiev accused Sofia of meddling in its internal Affairs, expressing “surprise and misunderstanding” attempts of the Bulgarian authorities to stop the administrative reform in the Odessa region. The Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ukraine called “manipulation” allegations about the impact of reforms on the national identity of ethnic Bulgarians in Ukraine. Reform is “the exclusive competence” of the Ukrainian authorities, therefore, “attempts of intervention of a foreign state is unacceptable,” he said in Kiev.
However, after these words Ukrainian diplomats immediately changed his tone and called on Sofia to resolve any issues “through constructive dialogue”, in accordance with the principles of friendship and good neighborliness that “traditionally existed between Ukraine and Bulgaria”, – concluded the foreign Ministry.
The reason for the quarrel was the appeal made on the eve of the Parliament of Bulgaria – National Assembly expressing concern about the fate of living in Odessa region are ethnic Bulgarians. During the administrative-territorial reform in Odessa the authorities are going to cut Bolgrad district, which is now live compactly Bulgarian community. According to unofficial data it reaches 300 thousand, that is, the majority of the population of the district. The authorities are going to break it down into five parts, with the result that Bulgarians everywhere will be in the minority.
The Bulgarian Parliament urged the Council of Ministers to take measures to preserve the integrity of the community, in particular, to organize an emergency intergovernmental meeting with the Ukrainian side.
In turn, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament, the party leader “national front for salvation of Bulgaria” Valeri Simeonov did not hide his surprise by the decision of Kiev, because of Ukrainian the majority of Bulgarians – loyal citizens of the Ukrainian state. The decision to “dissolve the Bulgarian population of Bolgrad district will be a serious blow for our largest foreign community and dehumanize the Bulgarian Diaspora”. Simeonov threatened that Sofia will cease to support the idea of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO.
Bulgarian public figure, ex-Deputy of the Parliament Svetlana Sharenkova considers the statement of the foreign Ministry of Ukraine is inadequate. “Negotiations on the Bolgrad district was already long enough, even when only discussed the project of the administrative-territorial division. From the Ukrainian diplomats, promises were made that community of Bulgarians would not be divided,” – said the newspaper VIEW Sarenkova. Towhen this question is discussed through diplomatic channels, she said, Kiev was not offended and did not call the actions of Sophia interference in its internal Affairs. However, it should be noted that publicly Poroshenko did not give any guarantees to maintain the Bolgrad district intact.
The head of the Bulgarian Eurasian Institute of geopolitics and Economics Plamen Milenkov called the current dispute is the result of policy of former Minister of foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Kristian Vigenin who is on the negotiations with the then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko “sold our Bulgarians”.
“However, Bulgaria is a soft policy, it will not block cooperation with Ukraine,” – said Miletkov the newspaper VIEW, assuming that Kiev and Sofia will be able to find a common language.
Kyiv political scientist Andrey Zolotarev considers the ongoing demonstration of the Imperial ambitions of the Ukrainian patriots.
“For Ukraine, the scandals with its neighbors and neighbors of neighbors are becoming the norm. This is not an isolated case, but a trend that shapes a certain attitude towards the country within the EU. This comes from the assertion that the Ukrainians – the title nation, and all the rest – to be silent. But I think after some time people with this position poured a bucket of ice water on the head”, – said Zolotarev.
“If Kiev were smart enough not to aggravate the incident will soon be exhausted. Otherwise, Ukraine should not expect major impacts at the EU level. For example, in the case of consideration of the next issue of cooperation voice of Bulgaria can be decisive”, – said the Agency interlocutor.
In Moscow believe that the demeanor of Kiev on ethnic minorities can hardly be called “Imperial manners”.
“If considered an Empire, the Soviet Union – which many do – then in this Empire of Ukrainian-language books were published much more than now, in independent Ukraine. The Soviet “Empire” have guaranteed the preservation of national languages and cultures of all peoples, down to the smallest, – said the newspaper LOOK first Deputy Chairman of the state Duma on CIS Affairs Konstantin Zatulin. – The way the Ukrainian government is not Imperial ambition, and the direct opposite of her – a narrow-minded nationalism.”
“Ukraine does not want to admit that its territory is “compound” resembling a patchwork quilt. Insatiable desire of Kiev to build everything according to the pattern of a unitary state has led to conflicts with all its neighbors, whose Diaspora have historically lived on the Ukrainian territory, – said Zatulin. – Attempt to unify the country, to abolish its ethnic diversity has led to conflict in the Donbass. Secondly, has led to problems with its Western neighbors”.
Earlier, Ukraineat times quarrel with their Western neighbours, not to mention Russia. The most serious conflict had occurred to her with Hungary – as you know, the Ukrainian authorities have practically banned the teaching in schools on languages of ethnic minorities. Difficult are the relations with Poland. The reason for this was Kiev’s decision to declare a national hero of the leader of Ukrainian nationalists Stepan Bandera.
“Now turn and reached Bulgaria. Let the knife all the rights of self-government of the Bulgarian community in Odessa region, reviewed the administrative division, – said Zatulin. – It is unlikely that this can be seen as a personal relationship Zelensky. Apparently, he is interested only in retaining power. He easily extraordinary relates to national issues – primarily the issue of the Russian language in Ukraine.”
According to the Deputy, the Eastern European neighbors may respond asymmetrically to Ukraine:
“Hungary on the rights of a member of NATO and the EU blocks all initiatives of Ukraine regarding the rapprochement with Western structures. Can also enter and Bulgaria”.
However, the ex-member of the Bulgarian Parliament Sarenkova believes that Sofia yet for such a sharp conflict with Kiev.
“the Parliament adopted its Declaration with the filing of the nationalist and Patriotic forces. This is not the position of the ruling party. Direct leverage to put pressure on Kiev we have only through the structure of the EU and NATO. But the headquarters of NATO will not intervene because it is only interested in the attitude to Ukraine is Russia, not Bulgaria,” said Cherenkova.
Brussels, in its opinion, also will not help Sofia, “because even Bulgaria there is no one particularly cares. What can we say about the ethnic Bulgarians in Ukraine.”
