Ukraine and Bulgaria leaders in talks over new grain corridor

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Nikolai Denkov, met in Athens to discuss the situation in the Black Sea region, including the grain corridor. 

The meeting occurred within the framework of the Ukraine-Balkans summit held in Athens, the head of state's press office reports.

Zelensky thanked Denkov for Ukraine's comprehensive support in the fight against the Russian aggressor, in particular for the recent decisions of the Bulgarian government to provide defense aid.

The Ukrainian president and the Bulgarian PM discussed further cooperation for the protection of Ukraine.

According to the Office of the President, the parties paid special attention to the situation in the Black Sea region. They discussed cooperation of the Black Sea states, which Bulgaria is among, to guarantee stable security in the Black Sea and the functioning of the alternative grain corridor.

"I am grateful to Bulgaria for condemning Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Ukraine is ready to use alternative ways for the grain corridor. We count on Bulgaria's support," said Zelensky.

He also thanked Denkov for supporting the Ukrainian peace formula and the readiness of the Bulgarian side to participate in the implementation of its specific points.

Zelensky also noted Bulgaria joining the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, adopted by the G7 countries at the Vilnius NATO Summit.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria confirmed the principled support of the Crimea Platform, the third summit of which will be held in Kyiv on August 23 to discuss the reintegration of Crimea after its liberation from the Russian occupation.

Zelensky's Visit to Northern Europe

At the weekend, Volodymyr Zelensky visited the countries of Northern Europe. As reported, on Saturday, August 19, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the First Lady of Ukraine were on a working visit to Sweden.

During the visit, the president held several meetings with the prime minister and parliamentarians. A royal couple of Sweden, King Carl Gustav XVI, and Queen Silvia, received President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at Stenhammar Palace in Södermanland County in southeastern Sweden.

During the visit on August 19, Ukraine and Sweden reached agreements on the production of equipment in Ukraine and the start of tests of Gripen fighters by pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

On Sunday, August 20, Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Netherlands, where the parties raised the issue of the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky came to Denmark after he visited the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands and Denmark on August 20, an agreement was reached to transfer F-16 jets to Ukraine after Ukrainian pilots finish training.

Zelensky also met with the Queen of Denmark and royal family members. On August 21, the President of Ukraine arrived in Greece, where he met with the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Greece has decided to join the declaration of the Big Seven on security guarantees to Ukraine. Greece will also take part in training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16.