Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov announced on Tuesday that the country will cease sending weapons to Ukraine. Speaking in Sofia, Stoyanov emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be settled through military means. He described the situation as a ‘war of attrition’ with weapon accumulation resulting in more casualties.
‘Ukraine needs more people, not more weapons,’ Stoyanov asserted. ‘It has sufficient arms, and we do not plan to supply more to the Ukrainian army.’ Prime Minister Rumen Radev has consistently opposed arming Ukraine, advocating for diplomatic solutions instead.
Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member, has provided military aid to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Initially, Bulgaria supplied mainly Soviet-era arms, crucial in the early war stages, often routing them through third countries to avoid domestic political issues.
Stoyanov suggested that negotiations are crucial for achieving a ‘just peace defined by both sides.’ He acknowledged the EU’s significant role but expressed skepticism about its suitability as a mediator due to its support for Ukraine.
Additionally, Stoyanov revealed Bulgaria’s plan to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.
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