Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

War in Ukraine

Citizens call for stronger resistance to Russian aggression in Ukraine saying “We are not neutral"

Photo: BGNES

"We are not neutral" is the motto of a peaceful rally held in Sofia today in support of Ukraine. The event takes place on Alexander Nevsky Square and organizers hope it will be as crowded as the rally on March 24, which attracted more than 15,000 people who showed support for the victims of war. The event in March was compared to the major protests and rallies held in the beginning of the democratic changes in Bulgaria.

Reason for the event became the mass killings of innocent civilians, which came to light after the withdrawal of the Russian military from the Ukrainian city of Bucha. "We must help Ukraine protect its children from this unparalleled aggression, including with military-defense assistance," organizers said. Danita Zarichinova is one of them. She says she is shocked by what is currently happening.


"As citizens, we associate a position of neutrality and non-interference with complicity with the aggressor. Bulgaria needs to take a firmer stance on the issue. All EU countries, with the exception of Hungary, have already provided military and technical assistance and are involved in other ways in the war. What I feel as a citizen of Europe is that Ukrainians are currently fighting not only for their independence, not only against the aggressor who invaded their sovereign territory, but for the whole of Europe, including Bulgaria. If what is happening in Ukraine did not stop now, we might be next in the line and asking for help that wouldn’t come," Danita says.

In recent days, peace marches in support of Ukraine have taken place in other Bulgarian cities, as well. At the same time, however, we are witnessing a series of initiatives against the provision of military-technical assistance on the grounds that in this way the country would get involved in the military conflict.

Протест срещу войната в Бургас

"Many people in our country believed in the Russian propaganda, which is gaining incredible proportions," Danita says, adding:

"There are people, especially from the older generation, who have no idea how to distinguish fake news from real ones. It is easy to be deceived. In addition, the topic of peace is being distorted in order to attract more supporters, with neutrality being presented as the only option for peace. But right now, as a pacifist, I can't agree with that.”


Tonight, the rally is expected to reach the Russian Cultural Information Center in Sofia and end in front of the BNT building, urging the media to stop calling justification of killings and war crimes "a point of view." "I see that there is energy in people. Everyone is shocked by what has been happening in Ukraine in recent days and want to show it in the streets," Danita Zarichinova says in conclusion.

English: Alexander Markov

Photos: EPA/BGNES, BGNES, library


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Nuredin Nuredinaj

Nuredin Nuredinaj from Gòra: "We must return to human values and preserve our identity"

Nuredin Nuredinaj comes from the historical-geographical region of Gòra in Northeastern Albania, where 90% of the inhabitants identify themselves as Bulgarians (data from the census in 2023).  Over 7 thousand Bulgarians live in Albania  The..

published on 11/26/24 2:05 PM
Emma, the new humanoid robot of the Varna Regional Library.

Robot Emma to give presentations at Varna library

The Varna Regional Library "Pencho Slaveykov" has acquired a humanoid robot. It was unveiled by the library's director, Radka Kalcheva, during the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the library's American Corner, in the presence of Eric Brasel, the..

published on 11/23/24 4:56 PM

Burgas city center closes for a half marathon on Sunday

1000 participants will take part in the first Burgas Half Marathon, which will take place this Sunday, 24 November. The event will bring together amateurs and professionals of different ages who will compete in three distances - 1 km, 10.5 km and 21 km...

published on 11/22/24 6:14 PM