Bulgarians protest during US Defense Sec. Austin’s visit, PM says no Ukraine military aid

Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin was confronted by protestors in Bulgaria Saturday as he met with Prime Minister Kiril Petkov to debate the continued safety disaster with Russia’s struggle in Ukraine. 

Demonstrators appeared to protest any navy help for Ukraine as they held up Bulgarian and Russian flags as Austin and Petkov met for a joint press convention. 

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Prime gamers within the 30-member NATO alliance, just like the U.S., U.Ok., France, Canada and 17 different European nations, have supplied navy help to Ukraine and have inspired different allies to comply with go well with.

However Bulgaria on Saturday once more refused to have interaction in discussions of sending defensive arms to Kyiv.

“I would wish to say very clearly that we’ve got not mentioned any navy help to Ukraine,” he mentioned, noting that studies stating in any other case had been “faux information.”

“We’re working collectively to strengthen the jap flank of NATO, however nothing greater than that has been mentioned,” he added. 

NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg mentioned that within the face of Russia’s aggression in Europe, the alliance wanted to re-evaluate its pressure posture and construct up its safety defenses.

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IRPIN, UKRAINE – MARCH 08: Civilians proceed to flee from Irpin on account of ongoing Russian assaults in Irpin, Ukraine on March 08, 2022. 
(Photograph by Emin Sansar/Anadolu Company through Getty Photos)

Stoltenberg mentioned the transfer ought to deter any consideration by Russian President Vladimir Putin of extending his struggle exterior the borders of Ukraine, and reaffirmed that an assault on any NATO nation will set off a response from your entire alliance. 

Austin didn’t touch upon Bulgaria’s refusal to ship help to Ukraine because it continues to be pummeled by Russian forces however as a substitute applauded the resilience of the Ukrainian forces.  

“Russia’s aggression has galvanized the Ukrainian folks, NATO and the free world,” the protection secretary mentioned. “Their wrestle is essential for the rules-based worldwide order and for the widespread values that Bulgaria and america share.”

Bulgaria, which doesn’t share a border with Ukraine, has accepted hundreds of refugees and pledged to assist Ukraine via humanitarian help and by offering medical help, Petkov mentioned Saturday.

A semi-conscious girl is attended to by Ukrainian troopers after crossing the Irpin river as fleeing town within the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, March 5, 2022. 

“However being so near the battle, proper now I’ve to say that at present, we won’t be able to ship navy help to Ukraine. This is not going to be attainable,” he added. 

Austin mentioned the U.S. and Bulgaria will proceed to conduct navy trainings and work to enhance Bulgaria’s navy readiness and bolster “NATO’s interoperability.”