The visit of United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to Bulgaria is extremely emblematic, Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov said for the BNR. In his words, the visit proves the strong commitment of the United States to NATO’s security. "Lloyd Austin will visit Sofia, not because Bulgaria is the weak link in the North Atlantic Alliance. On the contrary, Bulgaria is doing its outmost to contribute and our allies appreciate this”, Minister Zakov noted.

Dragomir Zakov admitted that the air policing resource of Bulgaria’s MIG-29 fighter aircraft is insufficient and the country will rely on its allies as well.

“The formats in which military assistance for Ukraine is discussed are the allied formats- within NATO and the European Union”, Minister Zakov went on to say.