War in Ukraine forced Bulgaria to improve defense capabilities: Defense minister

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – The Bulgarian defense minister said the ongoing war in Ukraine and other growing security risks forced the country to improve its defense capabilities.

Russia's war against Ukraine, together with other growing security risks and threats, forced Bulgaria to rapidly build a strong defense within the framework of NATO and the EU, said Todor Tagarev during his opening lecture at the Rakovski Military Academy in the capital Sofia, the state-run BTA news agency reported on Monday.

“It is imperative to overcome technological backwardness, achieve interoperability with allies, break with the residual Soviet legacy, and finally break dependence on Russia in terms of armaments and combat equipment,” he commented.

However, Tagarev underscored that the demographic crisis in the country undermines efforts to strengthen the armed forces with well-trained and motivated personnel.

He added that Bulgaria will continue to support Ukraine by providing additional military aid.

“Our common future security depends on the outcome of this war,” Tagarev said.

According to the 2021 census, the population of Bulgaria is slightly over 6.5 million.

Taking over the power in June 2023, the new Bulgarian coalition government, led by Nikolai Denkov, has been pursuing an increasingly pro-Western and pro-Ukrainian foreign policy, despite strong opposition by President Rumen Radev as well as socialist and nationalist opposition parties.