Bulgaria to Provide Military Aid to Ukraine Against Russian Aggression

Bulgaria intends to provide new military aid to Ukraine to continue its defense against Russian aggression, the new Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev announced upon his inauguration.

However, the aid will not damage the Bulgarian defense capabilities, he specified.

“My intentions are initially three-fold. The first is to continue efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. Let’s hope that the demands of the Eurozone will not affect the defense budget. We will work together to rearm the army. But most importantly are the people.To me every person is valuable, there is no intention in the government regarding the people in defense.

The second point is the contribution of our army to security in the Black Sea. There is no way that as long as a country as powerful as Russia is next to our borders and it is attacking a sovereign country, this will not lead to any security. There will be security when the last occupier leaves Ukraine. We must help Ukraine continue its counteroffensive.

The third is the issue of civil-military relations and civilian control. This problem is visible and there are serious challenges, and I believe that together we will work to prove that Bulgaria is a modern country,” said Tagarev to the gathering of high-ranking military personnel to welcome him.

“When I came in, I said that I would emphasize continuity and modernization of the army.

We advanced various projects for radars, combat vehicles, howitzers, concluded the contract for the second eight F-16s.

We have a first draft of a defense strategy. I hope you will present it to the Council of Ministers.

I have never served another country and have always worn the uniform with honor and pride. I haven’t served on friendship circles, but I have served on friendship circles because all my friends are in the military.

I hope that you will make a revision”, said the official minister Dimitar Stoyanov for his part.