Military support for Ukraine will not be possible, keeping in mind Bulgaria's close proximity, Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said at a briefing today at the Council of Ministers after meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. PM Petkov thanked the United States for their readiness to provide Stryker army company in order to reinforce the multinational NATO battle group in Bulgaria, under the command of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. According to PM Petkov, Bulgarian society can be calm, because as part of NATO this country has been raising its defense capabilities together with the other allies. Our security is NATO’s collective defense. We are NATO, the Prime Minister said.

Speaking to media, Lloyd Austin said that the United States continued to work for lasting security and peace. Austin pointed out that the creation of a multinational battle group was a very important step for Bulgaria and that the United States fully supported it. Austin pointed out that improving Bulgaria's military readiness and interoperability with NATO was extremely important, as Europe faces a major security challenge.