This was announced by US State Department spokesman Ned Price.

"We welcome President Radev's explanatory statement, in which he reaffirmed Bulgaria's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty and made it clear that Crimea belongs to Ukraine", - US State Department spokesman said.

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He also reminded that the United States, the G7, the EU and NATO "have clearly reaffirmed the unity in our common position that despite Russia's attempts to annex (the peninsula) and the current occupation, Crimea is Ukraine".

What is known

• Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stated during a televised debate that Crimea was "currently Russian" and added that sanctions against Russia currently looked ineffective.
• In response to journalists' questions, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev reiterated his position on Crimea. But he added that the occupation of the peninsula is a violation of international law.
• His opponent, Professor Anastas Gerdzhikov, also spoke at the debate, calling Crimea Ukrainian.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Kyiv Kostadin Kojabashev.