"There are constant provocations from the presidential institution", Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said at Sofia Airport after returning from a visit to Romania. Bulgaria’s Premier Denkov described President Rumen Radev's comments on the war in Ukraine as provocation. “I shall in no way view sending armored vehicles that have never been used in this country and have been kept in warehouses for over 40 years as a threat to our national security”, Premier Denkov said.

 Nikolay Denkov’s comment followed President Radev’s statement at the opening of the 2023 Rozhen National Folklore Fair. Rumen Radev stressed that "it is high time to start thinking soberly and objectively about the war in Ukraine." “Our rulers are frantically trying to convince us that by sending military aid, they are increasing our security. On the contrary - the conflict is deepening and the number of victims is increasing”, Bulgaria’s head of state said.