Bulgarian president says not to allow involvement in conflict in Ukraine

SOFIA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Saturday that he would not allow his country to be involved in the conflict in Ukraine, according to a press release by his press office.

"As head of state, I will not allow Bulgaria to be involved in this conflict," Radev said while answering a question about Bulgaria's decision, along with Hungary, of not to send weapons to Ukraine.

He was elected to defend the security of Bulgarians and peace in Bulgaria, Radev said.

"The price of war is paid by the citizens, not the television preachers," Radev said.

"My concern is the people," he added.

According to Bulgarian Constitution, the president is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the country's Armed Forces.

Last November, Radev was elected for the second consecutive five-year term.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov told a joint press conference after talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin last week that they have not discussed any military assistance to Ukraine.