PM Nikoliai Denkov in an interview for the BBC: Europe should increase spending to be ready for any scenario

The level of Bulgaria's defence spending, the procurement of US F-16 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force, Europe's policies to secure its own defence, suspicions about Russia's circumvention of energy sanctions, the stability of democracy in Bulgaria and the problems with corruption.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov answers these burning questions in an interview on the BBC's Hard Talk programme broadcast this morning.

Nikolai Denkov also answered a question about Europe's readiness to provide for its own defence against the backdrop of former US President Donald Trump's statements on NATO countries' military spending and the blocking of new aid to Ukraine in Congress:

"I am convinced that Europe needs to do more - to increase spending, to improve the integration between forces to be better prepared for any scenario. On the other hand, we need to do everything we can to work with the US and other allies, because together we are stronger."

In the interview with host Stephen Sackur, the topic of the controversy over the post of foreign minister after the planned rotation in the Bulgarian government was also discussed.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov assured that the Bulgarian government was doing everything possible to prevent possible circumvention of sanctions against Russia.

He responded to a question about the suspicions surrounding the activities of Lukoil Neftochim. Denkov noted that allegations are often made in this area which are then not backed up by evidence, adding:

"At the national level, within the framework of European regulations, we are doing everything that is necessary under these requirements, but this is not enough because the problem is primarily at the European level and not so much at the level of individual countries, including Bulgaria."

Source: BNR