“We are afraid of eventual military actions, which means that the state will be torn apart”; “Political manipulations and opposing each other…” – words of Mrs. Svetlana Dragneva, deputy chair of the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine and of Bulgarian MP from the Verkhovna Rada Anton Kisse.

The situation is pretty tense and serious, it concerns not only the Bulgarian community, but also all citizens of Ukraine, Svetlana Dragneva said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. The Bulgarians there hope that the politicians and the Great Powers will be sensible. “Everyone sees that this would mean a serious global geopolitical war,” Svetlana resumes. What happened on the Maidan was a result of a social discontent, she says, but political forces from the outside were involved either.

“The Bulgarian community was not affected by these dramatic events, thanks God, there were no victims. The situation is calmer wherever the Bulgarians form their groups – in the areas of Odessa and Zaporozhye. The only wish of the community is the integrity of the state to be preserved. If Ukraine starts to be torn apart it might turn out that the Bulgarians reside in different countries.”

Svetlana says that currently the situation in Crimea is more intense, but the peaceful citizens are not involved. The Bulgarians there are not concerned, despite this saber-rattling. In Bessarabia, however, they have other fears.

“Some sort of mobilization has started,” Svetlana explains. “Lists are made of men, up until a certain age. Villages in Bessarabia called and said they had been ordered a few days ago to compile mobilization lists. However, things have already calmed down. If military actions kick off, this means a full mobilization, a war – and nobody needs that.”

250 – 300,000 Bulgarians live in Ukraine, as those are among the best organized communities of our fellow compatriots abroad. Vice Premier and Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev said after a sitting of the Security Council with the government that there was a danger of a stronger migration pressure in case of an armed conflict, because the Bulgarian population might seek its way to Bulgaria. In his turn Mr. Anton Kisse said he went across these areas in Ukraine and nobody wanted to emigrate at this stage, which was a typical feature of the Bulgarians, the MP, who is also a chair of the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine resumed.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin met in Kiev yesterday with acting President of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov. The issue on the rights of the Bulgarian minority in Ukraine was raised during the meeting. Bulgaria offered to receive the children of the dead during their summer holiday. Anton Kisse, who witnessed the conversation, said he was impressed by the transparent and positive dialogue. The suggestion of Minister Vigenin for the vacation had its positive impact too, Mr. Kisse commented. Today the Bulgarian community in Odessa has a meeting with Minister Vigenin on issues, related to the Bulgarian minority.

Chair of the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine Anton Kisse definitely feels the support of this country in this crisis. “Many politicians, friends and common people call and offer their help”. What are the greatest concerns of Bulgarians in Ukraine?

“We are afraid of what is happening now, of this confrontation – it should be ceased, in order for no more human victims to fall. Bulgarians here are afraid of bloodsheds. The information propaganda in Kiev and the political manipulations have been pushing people away. The economic collapse is the other problem, as all currencies here play an up-down dance and there is a great uncertainty. Despite the critical situation, there is no direct threat to Bulgarians in Ukraine, or any violation of their rights,” MP from the Verkhovna Rada and Chair of the Association of Bulgarians in Ukraine Anton Kisse says in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev