US Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan received Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov at the White House yesterday to lobby for Albania and Macedonia’s EU membership.
Bulgaria is currently blocking the process for the two Western Balkan countries due to disputes with Skopje.

The press release of the US Vice President states that during the meeting, the support that Bulgaria has given to Ukraine was praised and the US solidarity in the face of Russia’s attempt to use energy as a weapon was affirmed.

“Vice President Kamala Harris met today with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Kiril Petkov. The Vice President expressed her appreciation for the strong alliance and warm friendship between the United States and Bulgaria. She thanked the Prime Minister for Bulgaria’s support for Ukraine and reaffirmed US solidarity in the face of Russia’s recent attempt to use energy as a weapon. “They agreed on the need to strengthen European stability by further diversifying energy supplies away from Russia and the importance of strong and sustained defense and prevention along NATO’s eastern side,” the White House said in a statement.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov yesterday.

“They exchanged views on Russia’s unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine, reaffirming their readiness to continue to support the people and government of Ukraine and to impose costs on Russia. Mr. Sullivan underlined the US solidarity with Bulgaria in the face of Russia’s recent attempt to use energy as a weapon and discussed with the Prime Minister the ongoing efforts to strengthen European stability by further diversifying European energy supplies. Mr Sullivan voiced support for the Bulgarian government’s focus on the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms. They also discussed the importance of promoting stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans.”

/Klara Ruci/