EURACTIV Bulgaria Est. 2min 28-06-2022 The Russian embassy in Sofia [Facebook page of the Russian Embassy] Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: DeutschPrint Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Bulgaria has declared ‘personae non grata’ a record number of 70 Russian diplomats for activity incompatible with their diplomatic status, outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov announced late on Tuesday (28 June). The total number of Russian diplomats in Sofia was 114. Speaking on national television BNT, Petkov said “this what happens when foreign governments try to interfere in Bulgaria’s internal affairs”. He explained that the decision had been taken based on information gathered by the Bulgarian secret services, refusing to comment further. According to the Bulgarian authorities, Russian diplomats are engaged in espionage and hybrid attacks in the host country. “We expect on Saturday a full airplane with 70 diplomats to take off for Moscow”, said Petkov, who had resigned the previous day following a no-confidence vote he lost last Thursday. There are no flights between Sofia and Moscow because of the sanctions, but exceptional flights for the repatriation of diplomats are authorized. In March Bulgaria kicked out 10 Russian diplomats, and Moscow responded in kind. The Bulgarian embassy in Moscow has now 10 diplomats. Bulgaria, Baltic countries kick out 20 Russian diplomats Bulgaria has expelled 10 Russian diplomats while Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania have banished another 10 Russian diplomats between them, the foreign ministries of the respective countries said on Friday (18 March), citing their non-diplomatic activities and the spreading of Russian military propaganda. Bulgaria has also protested about the behaviour of the Russian ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova, who has made statements insulting Bulgarian institutions. Russian Ambassador’s tone with Bulgarian government risks expulsion Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova has sharpened her tone towards the Bulgarian government, which could lead to her expulsion from the country. “The Bulgarian people do not support either the rhetoric or the actions of the Bulgarian government against Russia,” Mitrofanova said … In March Bulgaria recalled its ambassador in Moscow for consultations, assuming that Moscow would do the same. The goal was to get rid of Mitrofanova, without officially kicking her out. However, Russia made no move and after some waiting Bulgaria sent its envoy back to Moscow. The government has been under pressure to oust Mitrofanova, in particular from Democratic Bulgaria, a coalition partner. On Wednesday the Russian embassy published on its Facebook page an appeal for donations for the Russian military taking part in the invasion of Ukraine. Russian embassy in Sofia launches appeal for war donations A blogpost of the Russian embassy in Sofia, inviting citizens to make donations for “the military participating in the special operation to protect the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” is making waves in Bulgaria. EURACTIV Bulgaria took a closer look at the appeal. Read more with Euractiv Russian embassy in Sofia launches appeal for war donationsA blogpost of the Russian embassy in Sofia, inviting citizens to make donations for “the military participating in the special operation to protect the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics” is making waves in Bulgaria. EURACTIV Bulgaria took a closer look at the appeal.
