**Bulgaria Hits Back at Putin’s Claim It Contributed to Ukraine War**
In a sharp response, Bulgaria has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim that the country bears partial responsibility for the war in Ukraine due to hosting US military bases. The statement was made in a documentary broadcast on Russian state television Russia-1.
For months, Russia has been trying to shift blame for its invasion of Ukraine onto other countries, including Romania and Bulgaria, which are both members of NATO. Putin claimed that the presence of American troops in these countries heightened tensions near Russia’s borders, despite Ukraine not being a NATO member.
**Bulgaria Stands Firm**
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement rejecting Putin’s claims. “The Russian Federation’s attempts to shift responsibility for starting the illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine onto other countries, including Bulgaria, are completely unacceptable and constitute a gross manipulation of the facts.”
The ministry emphasized that Bulgaria’s accession to NATO was a sovereign decision made by its citizens. It added that the country’s defense posture is focused on regional peace, stability, and the protection of allied territory, and fully adheres to international law.
**Romania Also Rejects Russian Allegations**
Bulgaria is not alone in rejecting Putin’s claims. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded to the accusations made by Putin in the documentary, although its statement was not quoted in the report.
The Bulgarian-American base at Novo Selo has a capped number of US personnel at 2,500, a limit that has never been reached. In contrast, Romania is constructing the Mihail Kogălniceanu base near Bulgaria, which is expected to be larger than Germany’s Ramstein Air Base.
**The Bigger Picture**
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and NATO countries. For months, Russia has been trying to justify its invasion of Ukraine by claiming that it was responding to a perceived threat from NATO expansion. However, this claim has been widely debunked as a pretext for aggression.
By rejecting Putin’s claims, Bulgaria and Romania are standing firm in their commitment to regional peace, stability, and the protection of allied territory. This stance is also a testament to their unwavering commitment to democratic values and international law.
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