Sega: despite the president's position, Bulgaria will discuss arms supplies to Ukraine with NATOThe main topic of the meeting of NATO defense ministers will be military assistance to Ukraine and replenishment of the alliance's weapons stocks, Sega reports.
Bulgaria will take part in the meeting. The day before, President Radev suggested that the government "show prudence" and stop supplying weapons to Kiev.
The fair distribution of responsibilities and future commitments on defense investments (DIP) after 2024 will be discussed at a meeting of defense ministers of NATO member countries, which will also be attended by Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, the ministry reports. But it is silent about the fact that the main topic will be military assistance to Ukraine and the replenishment of the Alliance's weapons stocks. The meeting will also be attended by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexey Reznikov.
The Bulgarian Defense Ministry's message mentions Ukraine in passing, the main focus is on discussing measures to strengthen support for countries vulnerable to Russian influence – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Georgia. Last Thursday, at a meeting of the European Council, President Rumen Radev suggested that the interim government appointed by him "show prudence" and stop supplying weapons, despite the decision of the 48th convocation of the People's Assembly.
At the meeting on February 14-15, 2023 in Brussels, priorities and concrete actions will be determined, mainly related to strengthening the deterrent and defense potential of the Alliance in the context of preparations for the upcoming July summit in Vilnius. The Ministers will consider key issues on the NATO agenda, such as the long-term adaptation of the North Atlantic Alliance, the fair distribution of responsibilities, responsibilities and future defense investment Commitments (DIP) after 2024. The forum will approve the "Political guidelines-2023" for a new cycle of defense planning in the Alliance.
At the end of the message it is said that an informal working session will be held with the participation of the Ministers of Defense of Finland, Sweden and Ukraine, as well as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel. It will be dedicated to the conflict and support for Ukraine. Immediately before the meeting of NATO defense ministers, Minister Stoyanov will take part in a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine. The Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian Armed Forces Emil Eftimov will also take part in it.
A view from NATO
Yesterday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine should receive all the weapons it needs before Russia takes the initiative on the battlefield.
"A year later, President Putin shows that he is not going to stop. They are suffering heavy losses, but they are putting pressure on Ukrainians. Therefore, the sooner we provide the Ukrainian front with weapons, ammunition, spare parts, fuel, the more lives will be saved, and the more effective our efforts for a peaceful settlement of the conflict will be," the Secretary General said.
He added that the conflict is depleting the Alliance's reserves, so it is necessary to invest additional funds in the production capacities of the allies.