Bulgaria is all set to reduce Russia’s diplomatic footprints in the country. On Thursday it announced the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats. It also ordered expelled Russian diplomats to get out of the country by Sunday midnight.
The decision to expel was announced by the foreign ministry, outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. This is the biggest-ever expulsion of Russian diplomats that have been taken by Sofia in recent years. Well, the decision does more than just bring down Russia’s diplomatic presence in the Balkan country. Removal of the diplomatic staff reduces Moscow’s presence to the level of its representation in the Balkan country.
“Today we expelled 70 Russian diplomats. Many of them worked directly for (intelligence) services and their diplomatic role has been more like a cover,” Bulgaria’s outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said.
What caused the expulsion?
No matter how much the Bulgarian government tries to deceive the population by accusing the Russian diplomats of espionage but we are apprised of the cause of the expulsion. Kiril Petkov has suggested that it’s not an act of aggression against the Russians but Bulgaria won’t allow any foreign government to meddle in their internal affairs. But, how legitimate is this? Let’s find out.
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Moscow and Sofia enjoyed friendly relations during communism but only until the Russia-Ukraine war broke out. Owing to which, the EU started imposing tough sanctions on Russia and so did the friendly Balkan country, Bulgaria. The Bulgarian government has for long been pro-West, contrary to the population of its country. The people of Bulgaria are pro-Russia who will never want a war against Russia. Nonetheless, the country’s government has taken a strong stance against Russia.
Bulgaria supporting the EU’s sanctions against Russia and calling Moscow’s “special military operation” a war is what vexed Russia. Russia halted the exports of oil and gas to Bulgaria along with several other European countries. This action of the Balkan country can also be eyed as a retaliation to Russia’s supply cut-off. Petkov has even complained about the excessive Russian presence in his country and after the expulsion, Russia’s diplomatic presence has been limited to 48.
Protests erupting in Sofia
The expulsion of the Russian diplomats from Bulgaria has resulted in protests by the Bulgarian population which never wants a war with Russia. A huge protest titled “Bulgaria does not want a war against Russia” took place in front of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia. The demonstration is carried out by the “Russophiles for the revival of the Fatherland.”
Protestors argue that the actions of the Bulgarian government are malicious and would harm the Bulgarian people, economy and tourism. Bulgaria has been a popular tourist destination for Russians for a long time.
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The opposition party in Bulgaria also opposes the government’s move and wants the nation to maintain normal relations with Russia. The majority population of Bulgaria and the opposition party described the expulsion as a step towards severing the relations between the two countries.
The Bulgarian government’s bid to reduce Moscow’s diplomatic footprints has resulted in a pro-Russia movement in the country.
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