The crisis in Ukraine has not stopped generating controversial response across the world. The European Union has not yet worked out a common stand on the problem. Part of the bloc’s member countries oppose heavy sanctions against Russia, others subscribe to them. Bulgaria is in the former group with the position that strict economic sanctions imposed on Moscow could translate into major losses for it in the event of retaliation from the Russian side. On Thursday PM Oresharski explicitly defended this stand during a European Council meeting. President Plevneliev however has taken a different position. While on a visit to London he strongly criticized Russia for its intervention in Ukraine and stated that the Bulgarian government should not refrain from support for stricter economic sanctions against it. It has become quite obvious that a problem external for Bulgaria that the Ukraine crisis is, has generated differences between two major factors in domestic political affairs, namely the head of state and the Executive. Differences have surfaced in the National Assembly as well. The Bulgarian Socialist Party declared a stand against the use of military force; Gerb vocally condemned Moscow’s conduct, while Ataka openly sided with the Russia. No debate was held of the three parliamentary parties’ declarations in the hope that a single one would prevail. Finally, MPs decided to wait for the position of the Advisory Council on National Security (ACNS) summoned by the president for next Monday. In this context Foreign Minister Vigenin had to explain for a second time to parliament the government’s stance on the crisis. This in turn has hinted of certain ongoing differences between the cabinet and part of Coalition for Bulgaria that supports it. MPs from the Coalition are unhappy that with its actions the government in fact legitimizes the new authorities in Kiev that still owe to the world some explanations for the acts of violence there. Two days ahead of the ACNS there is no likelihood of a single Bulgarian position for the crisis in Ukraine. Two months ahead of the European elections at the end of May it is already clear that the issue of Ukraine will be one of the hottest topics in the election campaign.

English Daniela Konstantinova