“We will protect Bulgaria. And defend every inch of Allied territory. One for all and all for one,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated in a video address to the 47th National Assembly of the Bulgarian Parliament, and PM Kiril Petkov, on the occasion of the 18^th anniversary of Bulgaria's NATO membership.

“I am grateful for Bulgaria's contributions to our shared security. Not least in the Black Sea region, which is of great strategic importance for NATO, where you provide important capabilities, including ships to NATO’s patrols," Jens Stoltenberg said. “Bulgaria’s contributions are even more important at this defining moment for our security. President Putin’s war in Ukraine is causing death and destruction every day. Threatening the security of Europe. And challenging the entire international order. NATO Allies condemn this war. And call on President Putin to stop it immediately. Withdraw all his forces. And engage in diplomacy.”