Congratulations to Rumen Radev on 140th anniversary of Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman oppression 2018-03-03 10:00:00 Vladimir Putin sent his congratulations to President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev on the 140th anniversary of Bulgaria’s liberation from the Ottoman oppression. The Russian President’s message reads, in part: “We pay tribute to the memory of Russian soldiers and Bulgarian militia who fought shoulder to shoulder at Shipka and near Plevna. Thanks to their courage and self-sacrifice the ancient Bulgarian statehood was restored. I am confident that common historical traditions, solid bonds of friendship and mutual assistance, and cultural and spiritual closeness will remain a reliable foundation for the development of multi-faceted cooperation between our countries. I sincerely wish you good health and success, and wellbeing and prosperity to the brotherly people of Bulgaria.”