Crimea is Ukrainian. Crimea and the occupied regions are the subject of negotiations and the will of the Ukrainians and the will of the Russians must define whose region it is. Crimea is occupied illegally and in violation of international law.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, in the program "Why, Mr. Minister" on bTV.
Zapryanov pointed out that it is very difficult to say whether the war in Ukraine will end this year, but peace negotiations continue. Bulgaria is committed to providing military assistance to Ukraine, but whether the war will end is difficult to say, the resigned defense minister added.
He said the government had not made a mistake by participating in US President Donald Trump's Peace Council. "Bulgaria is joining and ratification is expected on the issue. If we have a military contribution, it is expected to be ratified by the National Assembly," commented Zapryanov in response to questions about whether Bulgaria will send soldiers to the front in the Gaza Strip.
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According to the resigned Foreign Minister, Bulgaria's participation in this project should not divide Bulgarians
And yet he assured that Bulgaria will not send soldiers to the Gaza Strip.
The resigned Defense Minister also assured that there are no military projects at risk, but we will have to wait for a regular government to plan the payments and allocate them to the defense budget.
Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that the extended budget also has its hands tied in terms of the development of the army and defense. "In time, the deadlines for payment for the modernization of the army will have to be postponed. The outgoing government defended the national plan for 9 SAFE projects.
Zapryanov also specified that there are trained pilots who maintain the F-16. By the end of 2026, the Air Force's ambition is for the pilots to be sufficiently trained to consider further combat duty, the retiring military minister added. He expects the F-16s to be able to carry out combat duty in 2028 at the earliest - when the combat squadron is ready.
Atanas Zapryanov wants a smooth transition from the MiG-29 to the F-16. And he said that Bulgaria is not yet ready to shoot down military drones.
Zapryanov also added that for him it is not a current question whether he will also be a service minister.
The retired military minister congratulated President Iliana Yotova as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Army. "Whenever she wishes, I am available to introduce her to the field of defense," Zapryanov also said.