President Rumen Radev raised the question of timely support for Bulgaria’s defence capabilities at a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine is radically changing the security environment and requires a reevaluation of the actions within the EU and NATO,” President Radev said at the meeting, the presidency has announced. He also requested the faster delivery of the F-16 fighter aircraft Bulgaria has paid for.

• Delivery of F-16 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria will be delayed

Regarding the EU accession of the Western Balkans, the Bulgarian President pointed out that the integration of North Macedonia depends on the observance, by North Macedonia, of the Copenhagen criteria and the elimination of discrimination against Macedonian Bulgarians.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov also held talks with Karen Donfried, with a focus on cooperation in the sphere of security, NATO’s unified response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and joint energy projects, the government has announced.