Velizar Shalamanov before FACTS: There should be freedom for Ukrainians to hit military targets in Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron said days ago that Kiev should be allowed to “neutralize“ the military bases from which Russia fires its missiles at Ukrainian territory. This happened in the midst of the debate about the use of Western weapons in Russia. "We must allow them to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are launched, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked," the French head of state said at a press conference together with Chancellor Olaf Scholz at Meseberg Castle, near Berlin. "If we tell them that you don't have the right to reach the point from which the missiles are launched, we are actually telling them that we are supplying you with weapons, but you cannot defend yourself," Macron said. Macron's thesis caused a great response in Europe. What to expect from the conflict… Velizar Shalamanov, former Minister of Defense, spoke to FAKTI.

- Mr. Shalamanov, should the Bulgarian politicians already consider how they will hold weapons in their hands, if we listen to what President Radev told them, what he advised them?
- Bulgarian politicians must work to ensure that the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, complies with the Constitution, does not become a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda and leads to division in society. At the same time, the best possible solution must be found for the Bulgarian citizens to receive the necessary training for the defense of the country, which is also required by the Constitution, so that we have the opportunity to maintain a good mobilization reserve of the army. This is necessitated by the changed military-political situation in which we find ourselves and by Russia's aggressive policy in Europe. This is something that requires political decisions and leadership. Unfortunately, President Radev is fighting his own battle and, through his rhetoric, is taking things in a different direction.

- How should we look at the fact that France and Germany want weapons with a high degree of combat accuracy, which the USA provided to Ukraine, to be used against objects on the territory of Russia. Did this put the whole conflict in a new situation?
- Let's first answer the question of what the conflict is - Russia's brutal aggression against sovereign Ukraine, which, according to the UN charter, has the right to defend itself. And the best way to defend itself is by striking the weapons systems from which the attack on Ukraine is being carried out. They are on Russian territory. Look, Ukraine has the right to act with all forces and means to protect its territory, its citizens. I want to insert something special here. Putin's continued toying with the nuclear threat, with the possibility of using a tactical nuclear weapon, could lead to Ukraine prioritizing the destruction of tactical nuclear weapons that are located near the Ukrainian border, and this will certainly be a serious new phase of the conflict. Let more reason be shown in this regard as well.

- We heard the words of French President Macron that it may come to the point of sending NATO troops to Ukraine, and this caused a great controversy…
- The participation of any NATO country with direct assistance on Ukrainian territory is not yet an involvement of NATO in the conflict. And this is because in NATO decisions are made by consensus. There are many cases in history where NATO countries have helped their allies and partners with military forces, but this in no way involves NATO in the conflict. If Russia commits aggression against a country that is a NATO member, Article 5 is already triggered. When a NATO country, in fulfillment of its bilateral arrangements, helps another country, things are different.

- We are currently in an election campaign. Do you hear any specific and clear messages from the parties who will take what position in this conflict…
- I think that Bulgaria's position is very clear and it supports Ukraine by providing all kinds of assistance - political, military and humanitarian. The fact that there are separate parties, including here, unfortunately, the president Rumen Radev, who take different positions than those adopted in the National Assembly and in the Council of Ministers, is disturbing. But this is a problem of domestic politics. I believe that Bulgaria's position will not change. I also believe that just as two important declarations were adopted during the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Sofia, so the Bulgarian delegation in Washington will defend the position that is in Bulgaria's interest and which is a continuation of Bulgaria's already consolidated decision as part from NATO.

- Do you think there could be a resolution to the conflict soon? What phase is it in now?
- This war, unfortunately, lasted very long. There is serious damage to both sides, naturally the greater price is paid by the Ukrainian citizens. But there is something else. This war clearly requires an understanding from Russia that it cannot be won by them. If the war continues, it could lead to an implosion within Russia itself. Here, the unity of the UN countries helping Ukraine is very important, regarding the fact that it is unacceptable for Russia to think about using tactical nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction to get out of the impossible situation in which it itself entered with this aggression, and with the expectation that it would easily crush Ukraine. The outcome of the war depends above all on Russia's decision. What could speed up this decision is even more support for Ukraine, more serious military aid so that it can reduce the damage on its territory. And, of course, there should be freedom for Ukrainians to strike military targets in Russia.