Radev vetoes deal with Ukraine to supply armored personnel carriers

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has vetoed a bill passed by the parliament to ratify an agreement with Ukraine to supply armored personnel carriers to Kyiv.

This was reported by Nova.bg.

Radev motivated his decision by the fact that "the deputies were not sufficiently familiar with the specific terms of the transfer."

Because of this, the Bulgarian president believes, the deputies were not able to objectively assess whether the equipment provided was outdated and necessary.

Radev emphasizes that neither the wartime tasks assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the needs of the Main Departments of Border Police and Fire Safety and Public Safety were taken into account.

According to him, the armored vehicles provided to Ukraine could have been used specifically to protect the Bulgarian border and provide assistance to the population in the event of disasters and accidents, including in hard-to-reach areas.

"I am guided by the belief that the safety, health, and life of Bulgarian citizens should be a top priority," Radev said.

The document will now be returned to the Parliament, which has the right to approve it without changes and send it for further discussion.

Author - Olena Madiak, 04/12/2023