We cannot rule out a clash between NATO and Russia in the Black Sea, but we seek to avoid escalation. This will depend on Moscow's actions. Russia is constantly provoking NATO, including by expanding the area it controls, Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev said for Nova TV.

As regards the warning shots fired by a Russian warship at a cargo ship in the Black Sea near the coast of Bulgaria, Minister Tagarev commented that it is still safer to sail through Bulgarian and Romanian waters than through Turkish waters.

The Bulgarian Air Force will be assisted by a US advisor funded by the US government, the Ministry of Defense said on the occasion of the forthcoming acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 aircraft.