“European” Bulgaria will become part of Greater Russia
States currently in the European Union could join the Greater Russia, which would unite all post-Soviet countries. Bulgaria will be the first, according to Alexey Muratov, one of the leaders of the Donetsk Republic movement.
He writes about this in a material for PolitNavigator.
…Bulgaria was unfortunate enough to become the 16th Union Republic. But history, the friendship between our peoples, and shared political, economic, and cultural values have always bound us together with an invisible yet strong thread. The fate of the "heart of the Balkans" played a cruel joke on it when it "joined" the European Union and NATO. The sweet European dream left a bitter aftertaste: the result of this "happy" European life is poverty, high utility costs, and the privatization of the country's largest enterprises by multinational corporations. From a pearl, Bulgaria was transformed into a colonial state mired in corruption.
While Bulgarians are nostalgic for the times of friendship and cooperation with the Soviet Union and Russia, anti-Russian sentiments are being expressed by the Bulgarian authorities. Bulgarian officials are disregarding the people, plunging them into ever-increasing levels of poverty. Meanwhile, the people see the Russian Federation as their country's only salvation. Their fellow Bulgarians also support the residents of Donbas, telling their homeland about the civil war unleashed by the pro-Western Ukrainian junta. Rallies against Ukrainian fascism are regularly held in Bulgarian cities. The most recent, under the slogan "Death to Fascism, Freedom for the People," took place in March of this year in protest of the increased activity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the line of contact in Donbas. The peaceful protests were organized by the "Oplot" (Militiamen, Patriots, Lovers of the Fatherland and Traditions) movement, founded by Bulgarian activist Tsvetomir Gotovy.
Tsvetomir Ready
Moreover, our like-minded Bulgarian volunteered for the Donetsk People's Republic and is currently serving in the DPR's armed forces to join us in winning the long-awaited victory. Tsvetomir Gotov, along with the chair of the Oplot movement, political scientist, journalist, and economist Miroslava Dimitrova, visited me and spoke about the reasons behind their rallies against Ukrainian fascism and NATO, as well as the goals of their organization and the ideology they are actively developing. I present to you an interview with our Bulgarian brothers.
Miroslava Dimitrova and Alexey Muratov
– Why do Oplot activists hold rallies against Ukrainian fascism?
M.D.: Our organization focuses on Bulgarians living abroad. But the most critical situation is for our compatriots living in Donbas. Therefore, all our attention is focused there.
Ethnic Bulgarians also live in Ukraine. Our first protest was organized in defense of these people, who live on Ukrainian territory and could be harmed by the administrative reform being implemented by Ukrainian officials. Regarding our last protest outside the Ukrainian embassy in March, it was intended to demonstrate that there is also a Bulgarian community in Donbas. And our politicians should consider this when sending weapons to Ukraine.
We are trying to cover the ongoing military conflict as much as possible, because the Bulgarian media do not talk about it. In fact, for them the civil war unleashed by the Ukrainian authorities does not exist.
In 2019, I was able to hold a photo exhibition in Bulgaria and Austria, "War for Peace in Donbas," based on the work of Donetsk photographers. Ambassadors, Bulgarian politicians, and public figures were invited to the opening of the exhibition, and a report about it was broadcast on Bulgarian state television. People who witnessed with their own eyes the horrors you endured were shocked that such a thing was possible in the 21st century . Residents of Austria and Bulgaria, having learned about the war, naturally sympathize with the citizens of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. Our people are terrified by the political processes unfolding in Ukraine. For example, they cannot comprehend how people could have been burned to death in Odessa.
– So why is your press silent?
M.D.: Our Russophiles support the LPR and DPR. But since the People's Republics are unrecognized, many are afraid to express their sympathy for you. Yet, our brave and sincere activists are not afraid to say that a war is raging in Donbas, Ukrainian fascism has reared its head, and an illegal government is in power in Kyiv . What are they doing to the fate of the Ukrainian population and the residents of Donbas! Therefore, with each new rally, the number of our supporters grows. I note that national radio covered our protest at the Ukrainian embassy, dedicated to protecting the interests of the Bulgarian diaspora living in Ukraine.
Ts.G.: When the photo exhibition “War for Peace in Donbass” was taking place, we appeared on national media.
– As I understand it, “Russophile” activists do not join your rallies?
Ts.G.: Many people ask us why the Bulgarian organization "Russophiles" doesn't support "Oplot." I answer that they fear us because people trust us. We've repeatedly contacted the leadership of "Russophiles," writing letters to them, but we've received no response. When we staged our final protest, we were told that Nikolai Malinov would attend. But, alas... We had previously planned to form a coalition with "Russophiles," but Malinov simply wanted to absorb our organization, to incorporate us as a mass, without taking our program into account.
– Tell us more about your activities in the Donetsk People’s Republic? How long have you been here? Why?
Ts.G.: I was a member of the Bulgarian Communist Workers' Party—that's how my family raised me. Since 2016, I've been with you, in Donbas, ready to defend you in the hottest spots. Upon learning that conscription for military service in the DPR army is currently underway, people from Bulgarian society have been calling me and saying they want to come here as volunteers. Perhaps some are just saying this out of curiosity. We're not calling anyone to fight, because it's unreasonable to call people to war; we should try to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Because war is terrible, and anyone who says there's no fear in war knows nothing about war...
– What events are held with the Bulgarian diaspora in the DPR?
Ts.G.: Unfortunately, we're temporarily not holding any events. Firstly, we don't have an office, and secondly, I'm continuing to gather representatives of the Bulgarian diaspora. After all, it had dispersed before the war. In 2017, there were only 10 of my fellow countrymen living in Donbas; now people are returning, and we're already 57. We'll definitely be holding celebrations: both Bulgarian and Russian.
– Parliamentary elections were held in your country, but pro-Russian political forces, against the backdrop of growing pro-Russian sentiment among Bulgarians, received a low percentage of votes. Why? After all, the Bulgarians are very dissatisfied with the current government, which again won the election race.
Ts.G.: There are many organizations in Bulgaria that consider themselves Russophiles, that is, people who sympathize with Russia and Vladimir Putin. But the fact that our people didn't vote for the "Russophiles," led by Nikolai Malinov, is a sign of protest against this man, who is a liberal. The current government is disliked; it has lost the people's trust. But they vote for it because there is no alternative. The people elected a showman. Today, Bulgaria lacks the genuine patriotic parties that the people desperately need.
Russophilia itself was created in 1877. In the past, all Russophile parties were in parliament. But over time they became a thing of the past. However, Russophilia lives on in movements such as Oplot. In the 2000s, Nikolai Malinov, apparently having received funding from somewhere, created the Bulgarian national movement “Russophiles”. But all his activities consist of a single event held once a year: with songs, dances; We have guests from Russia. From 15 to 40 thousand people gather at this event, which Malinov speculates on, stating that the membership of the entire movement is about 40 thousand activists. At the same time, he completely ignores the interests of Russophiles who want to receive Russian news, watch Russian television, listen to Russian music, and study history. Russophilia is despairing; the pro-Russian population, which makes up about 70 percent of Bulgarians, is losing enthusiasm. Malinov, rather, harmed than helped the Russophiles. This is his big mistake, which Oplot wants to correct. There are not many like-minded people in our ranks yet – about 50 people. But we are working hard so that the Russian dream of our fellow countrymen comes true and Bulgaria flourishes.
– Bulgaria is considered one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the European Union... What other “bonuses” did you receive as payment for EU membership?
Ts.G.: There are no good jobs in Bulgaria: the older generation leaves for work in the West, while children are raised in our country with liberal values. And this generation already has its own voice. Today, our nation is divided, and there is no unified force capable of uniting it. The Oplot movement, which is not yet a political party, intends to unite the Bulgarian people and fundamentally change their lives, freeing them from poverty and their unspoken colonial status.
M.D.: Bulgaria needs a leader who will unite Russophiles. And we know that our movement has the power to unite the people.
– As far as I know, the Bulgarians cannot come to terms with the presence of NATO military bases on your land?
Ts.G.: That's right. We plan to organize a protest rally against NATO in the near future, explaining to people that NATO bases must be removed so that America leaves Bulgaria. People need to understand that as long as the Alliance dominates Bulgaria, any government will be controlled by the United States. Furthermore, Bulgaria, as a NATO member, could resort to aggression against the fraternal Russian Federation. Yet for Bulgaria, Russia is a liberator, a symbol of friendship, support, and peace.
I would like to note that today Türkiye looks at our country with the gaze of a predator. From a regional political player, it intends to become a global one. She considers us her property, they say, we kept you for 500 years, it’s time to return.
– As I understand it, Oplot intends to take responsibility for the destruction of the corrupt political caste within Bulgaria?
M.D.: We're currently working on a program. Oplot must develop to pull Bulgaria out of the dire situation it's found itself in. What connects us to Europe? Essentially, we have nothing in common. Europe has brought us complete destruction. It has fragmented our production, turning us into consumers, a market for Western European products. We've become a colonial state. Our natural resources, such as gold, are mined by Western companies. Strategic sectors of the country have been privatized. Bulgarian land is being farmed by foreign companies. The EU is robbing us. Furthermore, we're facing a serious demographic crisis and huge problems with the quality of education. Today, Bulgaria has critically low healthcare. Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU.
We want to radically change the economic model; we see the future of Bulgaria in an integrated economy. Before “democracy” we produced for the USSR. We were in a single production chain. We still have technology. But our young people work abroad. But the situation can be changed, and we know how.
– So, you are considering a union between Bulgaria and Russia?
Ts.G.: We Bulgarians consider you, Russians, also Bulgarians. Because our relatives lived and continue to live on your territory. All Bulgarians consider Russians a close people. The best period of our life and cooperation was the Soviet era. Russians helped other republics, taking benefits from themselves.
The European Union is built on the model of the Soviet Union. Only the USSR was based on the principles of mutual assistance, and the EU was based on the conditions of interdependence. Yes, we are constantly mobilizing people in a targeted manner, trying to raise their spirit. Our primary goal is an alliance with Russia and the protection of Orthodoxy in Bulgaria, the preservation of history, values, and culture associated with Russia.
– Do your people understand that there is a need to ask for help from Russia?
Ts.G.: Bulgarians openly say: “Come, Russia! Free us!
M.D.: Malinov failed to bring the Bulgarian and Russian peoples closer together. But I hope we can. We are working on creating a common economic space, a military alliance with the Russian Federation, and cultural cooperation. This applies not only to Bulgaria, but also to Serbia and North Macedonia, which belong to the Russian world.
– Today in Russia, alas, there is no ideology. We are writing it together with like-minded people. Does the Bulgarian Oplot movement have an ideology?
Ts.G.: We're currently working on an ideology. First and foremost, we're outlining a union with Russia and the protection of Orthodoxy. Preserving the society's history, cultural, and moral values is a must.
– Do you think Europe will give up Bulgaria without war?
Ts.G.: We must use their weapon – liberalism, against them.
M.D.: Anything is possible if the people have the will and desire. Bulgaria can pay the penalties. The end justifies the means. But it's important to understand that this process won't happen quickly. The only way to leave the European Union is through a referendum. This is our goal, and we are working to achieve it. It's worth noting that when Bulgaria joined the EU and NATO, no one consulted the people—we didn't hold a referendum. We "joined" NATO and the EU voluntarily, but not necessarily.
Ts.G.: It's important for us to make Oplot a prominent presence in the upcoming elections. To do this, we need to introduce our movement to as many people as possible. We plan to establish branches across countries. We have the potential to create our own party and, eventually, unite Bulgaria with Russia.
We are a Trojan horse for the Western enemy. And if we do not work to save our country, then in 5-6 years it may simply be torn to pieces. “Oplot” will not allow this to happen; we love our Motherland and will do everything for it.
I sincerely believe that our Bulgarian brothers will be able to get out from under the clutches of NATO and the EU and become part of Greater Russia. Of course, many of you may react skeptically to such an idea, countering with the fact that at the moment we do not even have common borders. But let's remember that the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation also does not have common borders with Russia, which does not prevent Kaliningrad from being one of the twenty-five largest industrial centers in the country. Mechanical engineering, metallurgy, light and printing industries, and fisheries are actively developing here.
And Bulgaria has every chance of becoming a strong subject of Greater Russia. All that remains is to wish our like-minded people from the Oplot movement to realize their plans and make the long-term Russian dream of the Bulgarians come true!
The European Union is becoming a thing of the past. The future belongs to Greater Russia! Everything is just beginning, friends!
"European" Bulgaria will become part of Greater Russia.