Bulgaria on Monday denied selling weapons to Ukraine following reports by the Russian news agency, TASS, published on Sunday.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov denied the allegation when he spoke with journalists.

“We have been exporting to some traditional partners, countries in the European Union, but there has been no direct Bulgaria-Ukraine transfer,” Mr Petkov said.

According to TASS and police in pro-Russian-separatist-controlled Donetsk, a 30mm automatic grenade launcher was used in an attack on the village of Zaitzevo, in the territory of the separatist-held Donetsk People’s Republic in eastern Ukraine, which is recognised only by Russia.

The claims point to the military manufacturer Arsenal, located in the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak, as the weapon manufacturer.

Discussing the expected government change after the successful no-confidence vote against his cabinet on June 22, Mr Petkov said the cabinet’s composition would remain unchanged.

“We are all a close-knit team, and we will continue in the same format.

“I do not want to talk about individual ministers until we get support from independent members of parliament,” he said.

Mr Petkov went on to say, “We have clearly stated that there are several people with whom we would not negotiate.”

(BTA/NAN)