US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten stated, in an interview for Trud newspaper, that Ukraine’s future was in NATO and it was a question of time when it would join. He reaffirmed that NATO was firmly committed to defending the security of all members, including Bulgaria. The Russian occupation of Ukraine does not lead to peace, the US ambassador said, capitulating before Putin does not lead to security. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, we shall all be more vulnerable and live in a more dangerous world. NATO is focusing on affording Ukraine an opportunity to defend itself and guarantee that the conflict will not escalate beyond the borders of Ukraine, the US ambassador said and added that the NATO secretary general was adamant there were no plans for any direct intervention by NATO forces.