Foreign Policy and Defence Committees approved draft resolutions on Bulgaria providing military assistance to Ukraine

After several hours of debate on November 2, the members of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee approved draft resolutions that Bulgaria provides military and technical support to Ukraine.

Within a month, the Council of Ministers should submit a decision to this effect to the Parliament, organise the signing of an agreement with the Ukrainian side on the provision of the necessary equipment, as well as conduct negotiations with NATO countries on the acquisition, provision or deployment of reinforcement and replacement defence capabilities on our territory.

The Council of Ministers also decided to propose to the National Assembly measures to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine and to support Kiev's action against Russia in the European Court of Human Rights.

Both draft proposals are for the provision of military assistance to Ukraine - weapons, ammunition and equipment, as well as for the implementation of the second stage of the purchase of eight new F-16 fighter jets. The meeting was attended by caretaker Foreign Minister Nikolai Milkov; caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov.

The draft decision of Democratic Bulgaria stipulates that Bulgaria should prepare a military aid package for Ukraine within 14 days and propose an agreement with Ukraine, which the National Assembly should ratify. The draft decision also includes consultations within 10 days with NATO allies on the acquisition of replacement equipment and within a month to submit an Army Re-armament Programme.

Caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov has already announced that Ukraine wants anti-aircraft missile complexes and operational tactical missiles. Bulgaria currently has two S-300 systems, one guarding Kozloduy nuclear power plant and the other guarding the capital.

The defence committee also adopted the draft investment cost for the acquisition of the second eight F-16s.