This was stated today by the President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev at a lecture at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia, dedicated to the prospects and challenges facing young people. The head of state answered questions from students.

A student asked the president about the “disturbing political situation” in the country and whether he thinks people are hoping that the head of state will take measures and change it. “I get asked this question wherever I go. I do everything I can within the framework of my powers as president. This question saddens and worries me. This hope and expectation in people means that trust in the institutions that are actually supposed to do this work has been exhausted,” Radev replied.

The issue is not about saving one person, the issue is for everyone, especially young people, to realize their responsibility that the future is in your hands, the president also said.

Diplomacy should come before the bombs and missiles, not after them to extinguish the consequences, Radev said, after being asked about the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.

I am convinced that hostilities can be stopped if there is a clear political will and diplomacy is given the go-ahead, and not just ambitious politicians and generals. The main value of diplomacy is that it should prevent conflicts. In recent years, we have increasingly violated these principles, and this is because, in my opinion, life has ceased to be a basic human value, the head of state commented.

So far, only two instruments have been activated – the military and the economic, but diplomacy has remained in the background. Even Ukraine, in the first months after the start of the war, passed a law prohibiting negotiations with the other side. You can see what happened now – Ukraine itself already wants diplomacy and negotiations, said Radev.

According to the president, an infinite number of wrong strategic decisions were made in the war in Ukraine, and the price is already almost a million killed and maimed. The first strategic mistake was made by the Russian side – they underestimated the will of the Ukrainian people to resist and fight for their freedom, the head of state commented.

The president pointed out as strategic mistakes the expectations that the Russian economy would collapse under the pressure of sanctions, as well as the claims that Russia had run out of missiles and shells. Now the NATO Secretary General has also admitted that Russia produces three to four times more ammunition and military equipment, said Rumen Radev.

It is time for diplomacy. I respect one of the greatest diplomats of the 20th century, Kissinger, who in the first months came up with a clear plan – “yes, these territories will remain, but the rest of Ukraine will have the right to be a free, democratic state, a member of the European Union and NATO.” Kissinger was totally criticized, and now everyone is returning to his plan, the president said.

Source: Trud online.

Photo: President of Bulgaria Official website.

Note: Along with Le Duc Thọ, Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1973, for their work in negotiating the ceasefires contained in the Paris Peace Accords on “Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam”, signed the previous January.