Bulgarian Defense Minister: Peace will be restored after Putin's defeat in Ukraine

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Todor Tagarev has expressed the opinion that it is in Bulgaria's national interest to support Ukraine, as he believes that "peace will be restored only when the authoritarian regime of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin loses the war." Euractiv quoted him as saying.

Tagarev noted that Bulgaria has joined the EU's common policy of providing military assistance to Ukraine in accordance with its stated needs. He expressed his support for Ukraine, realizing that many ethnic Bulgarians in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are dying defending their homeland.

"By protecting itself, Ukraine is protecting Europe from the Kremlin. If Ukraine loses, be prepared to at least double the resources Bulgaria allocates for defense," the Bulgarian Defense Minister emphasized.

Tagarev also noted the impact of Russia's disinformation campaign on the combat capability of the Bulgarian army, claiming that this campaign fuels the fear of war in society.

According to a report by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the number of applications to military academies has dropped by 35% and the number of cadets has decreased by 45%.