The risks to Bulgaria stemming from the Ukrainian crisis and the state of the Bulgarian Armed Forces were the focus of the National Security Advisory Council, convened by President Rumen Radev. Premier Kiril Petkov, Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev, Minister of Interior Boyko Rashkov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodora Genchovska, National Assembly Speaker Nikola Minchev, the Chairperson of the State Agency for National Security Plamen Tonchev and the Chairpersons of the parliamentary groups participated at the sitting.

Bulgaria faces significant challenges due to the escalation of tensions in the Black Sea region, international terrorism and migratory flows, the participants at the National Security Advisory Council agreed. Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Army is not being modernized at the desirable pace. Despite the efforts, the staff shortage cannot be overcome. The delivery of the new fighter aircraft to Bulgaria will be delayed. In this regard, the National Security Advisory Council decided that Bulgaria needs to accelerate the procedures for modernization of its Armed Forces and develop an investment programme corresponding to modern technology. In 2023, Bulgaria must increase defense spending to 2% of the GDP, the participants at the National Security Advisory Council agreed.