The national flag of Ukraine, which had been displayed at the headquarters of the Bulgarian ruling party GERB since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has been taken down. This occurred in connection with the visit of a delegation from China that met with the party leader, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov. This was reported by the GERB press center in response to journalists’ inquiries.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Details of the meeting and the party’s position
The meeting took place on Monday when Borissov received Xiao Jie, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China. During the negotiations, the parties discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation between Bulgaria and China.
Since the onset of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, GERB has repeatedly demonstrated support for the Ukrainian state. Boyko Borissov has publicly condemned the actions of the Russian Federation and emphasized solidarity with Ukraine.
Reasons for the flag’s removal and public reaction
In the published photographs and videos of the meeting with the Chinese delegation, only the flags of Bulgaria and the European Union were present. The Ukrainian flag was absent. As explained by the party’s international department, this happened at the direct request of the Chinese guests.
“At this meeting with the Chinese delegation, the (flag) was removed at their direct request,” the GERB international department told Radio Free Europe. The party clarified that “according to protocol, it is not customary to display the flag of a country that is not participating in the meeting.”
Previously, during other international meetings at the GERB headquarters, the Ukrainian flag remained in place, which was explained by an unofficial agreement between the EU and the USA — a symbolic support for Ukraine in its struggle against aggression.
The absence of the Ukrainian flag in the GERB premises has drawn public attention before. In February 2025, Boyko Borissov addressed the public from the party’s office, commenting on the decision of the Bulgarian ruling majority not to send troops into Ukraine. At that time, it was also noted that the Ukrainian flag had disappeared from the frame, which drew criticism towards GERB. Borissov, in turn, assured that the flag would remain at the headquarters “as long as blood is being shed, until peace is achieved.”