site.btaDefence Minister: Each Ukrainian Request for Support Assessed in Accordance with Bulgaria's Capabilities

Bulgaria is working successfully with Ukraine on a bilateral basis and each Ukrainian request for assistance is carefully assessed in accordance with Bulgaria's capabilities, caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said during an EU informal defence ministerial in Stockholm, the Defence Ministry  in Sofia reported. Stoyanov added that in keeping with a parliamentary resolution, Bulgaria has sent military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine earlier this year.

In addition to the military-technical support, Bulgaria participates in the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM) with instructors who will train Ukrainian servicemen, on the territory of EU member states, how to use weapons and equipment provided in the framework of the mission, as well as train military medics on Bulgarian territory.

Developments in the EU's assistance mission in support of Ukraine and assistance to the country under the European Peace Facility were also discussed at the meeting in Stockholm, the Stoyanov's Ministry said.

"Bulgaria stands up for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and supports its European integration," Stoyanov said and noted the role of the European Defence Agency (EDA) in initiating concrete projects for joint procurement. "EDA has the experience and capacity to successfully carry out this task. We believe that the EDA ammunition project is particularly suitable for providing Ukraine with the necessary ammunition and we support it," the Minister explained.

On the eve of the EU defence ministerial in Sweden, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed Tuesday the need for additional military assistance to Ukraine.

At the forum, the defence ministers also discussed the current state of the EU military missions and operations, as well as the community's readiness to respond to present-day security risks and threats.