Defence Minister Tagarev: I won't resign

Defence Minister, Todor Tagarev, said on February 28 he would not resign before March 6. His comment came in response to today's criticism from GERB and MRF.

Leaders of GERB and MRF demand the replacement of Defence Minister Todor Tagarev

"I will not resign. On March 6, PM Nikolai Denkov will submit the resignation of the entire cabinet (as part of the upcoming cabinet rotation). I don't see why to rush for two days - there is no point.

There are two political forces that are the basis of this cabinet. Every minister must have the confidence of these political forces. I have informed both that I am prepared to speak in whatever format.

Last night, at the invitation of the leaders of “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria”, I attended their gathering and I clarified to them all the issues they were interested in, as far as information can be shared on this issue, because we are talking about war here," Tagarev said.

The defence minister is at a hearing in Parliament. He responded to criticism that as minister he had done nothing to support Ukraine:

"In the Euro-Atlantic community it is prestigious to help Ukraine. There may be some struggle here over who contributes to this prestige. I would say that the cabinet has a contribution. We are working with the full understanding that we have to help Ukraine and we are also counting on support in Parliament, so all sides are important and there is no need to fight over who helps more.

I am pleased that the Committee on Defence has decided to look at the issue of what assistance we are giving to Ukraine. By helping it, we are helping ourselves. If Ukraine defends itself, we will have better security in Europe. Bulgaria is one of the countries that proportionately supplies the most aid to it. We have provided significant amounts - over 7,000 tonnes of material, mainly ammunition. If we count them in wagons, that is somewhere between 140 and 150 wagons. We have provided tens of thousands of large-caliber ammunition, millions of cartridges, etc. We will continue to do that to the best of our ability," he said.

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