The fact that Bulgaria is in NATO and the EU in such a crisis is the biggest guarantor of our security. This was stated by the Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov on BNT.
However, we must be uncompromising that our armed forces must have the ability to protect. That is why we are working on projects. “Count Ignatievo to receive the new F-16 fighter jet. Things have slowed down due to the pandemic,” he said.
“Until now, I was at a meeting of the Foreign Policy Committee, there were the Foreign Minister and representatives of the services. The Bulgarian Parliament controls what the government is doing about the crisis in Ukraine. Bulgarians must rest assured that institutions are working to prevent all risks in the country.” , specified Zakov.
He also commented on the situation in which Poland said it would provide all its MiG-29s to the United States, but the Pentagon refused to accept the offer.
“Obviously, Poland has decided that it can provide the assistance requested by Ukraine, and the United States has decided that it cannot cooperate. There have been similar requests to other countries that have the same type of aircraft, including Bulgaria,” the minister said.
“We have a MiG-29, but only half of it is used to protect the airspace. Bulgaria also guards NATO airspace. There is no way we can provide such equipment because we have commitments regarding NATO’s sovereignty,” he added.
Asked if Ukraine could feel abandoned, he said: “We are focusing too much on military aid, but there is a great need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Many countries are getting involved because the civilian population is in trouble. Bulgaria is already sending large quantities. such assistance, options for more are being discussed “.
The Minister points out that humanitarian aid is sometimes much more important, because it can save lives.
According to him, it is difficult to predict the development of the Ukraine-Russia battle, because the Ukrainians managed to mobilize great support from the so-called local forces for self-defense by volunteers.
“Also, Ukraine has not been Ukraine since 2014. It is very ready. Russia has definitely underestimated it. Putin surprised himself. The Russian leadership was deluded by the propaganda that Ukraine will fall quickly and President Zelensky will flee. Putin did not expect the West to it goes so far in sanctions, “Zakov said.
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