Defence Minister Tagarev on Zelensky's possible visit: He may decide to make additional requests

The very leaking of information about a possible visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to our country is a prerequisite, if there was such a visit, for it to be cancelled. This is what Defence Minister Todor Tagarev told journalists on July 5 after observing the exercise of the Italian Pinerolo brigade in Novo Selo.

According to him, if there is an invitation to Zelensky, it will be from the Council of Ministers.

Tagarev once again expressed regret that such information had been leaked because, in his words, Ukraine is at war, Zelensky is commander-in-chief and this is of interest to the enemy.

We still hope that there will be an opportunity for Zelensky to come to Bulgaria in the future. That would be a very high recognition of Bulgaria's role in supporting Ukraine in this unjust war that Russia has launched against it.

Asked whether Bulgaria would be able to commit additional military assistance to Ukraine, Tagarev said that everything that is provided to Ukraine is done strictly according to the laws and procedures in Bulgaria and they do not imply ad hoc decisions within days and hours.

"I assume that a potential visit by him will show that the assistance of Bulgaria, which has already been done, is highly appreciated and our potential is for additional assistance eventually, he may decide to make some additional requests which we will consider according with the laws and procedures," Minister Tagarev said.

About the exercise of the Italian Pinerolo Brigade in Novo Selo, he said that it is much bigger and already has the form of a brigade exercise.

"I am delighted with what more than 1,200 servicemen from 7 NATO allies did. We witnessed manoeuvre warfare in defence and counter-offensive. This is an extremely important step in our preparations to build the deterrence, restraint and defence capabilities of NATO's Eastern flank together with our allies," Tagarev said.

Regarding the transformation of the battlegroup into a brigade, Tagarev said the entire brigade may not be deployed on our territory, but can be reinforced with troops from allies and, if necessary, with forces from the Bulgarian army.

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov added that we should create opportunities to grow the battle group to a brigade and today these opportunities were demonstrated.

"It is in the interest of our national security to create conditions for the battle group to grow to a brigade, not with our formations, but with allied formations," Admiral Eftimov said.

He hopes to accelerate the modernisation processes of the Bulgarian army.

Ukrainian President Zelensky to visit Bulgaria?