Bulgarian ex-premiers warn Black Sea is becoming a 'military zone', urge government action
A former president, four ex-prime ministers and dozens of former ministers, generals and diplomats urged Prime Minister Radev's government to condemn Russia's escalation in the Black Sea.
Symbolic image · Photo: Olivier Dugornay (IFREMER) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev and former prime ministers Boyko Borisov, Ivan Kostov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolay Denkov have signed a joint appeal following drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea. The signatories also include 18 former ministers as well as reserve generals, diplomats and public figures. The document was circulated by former Defence Minister Todor Tagarev and remains open for further signatures.
"The Black Sea is turning into a military zone, and Bulgaria must be ready to defend itself," the appeal says. It calls on the government to unambiguously condemn Russia's escalation, strengthen air and sea surveillance in close coordination with NATO, and speed up counter-drone capabilities, drawing on Ukraine's experience. The EU and NATO were urged to make Black Sea security an immediate priority.
The authors accused the current political leadership of lacking resolve and said the upcoming presidential election offered a chance to raise security questions publicly. "Peace is a goal. Defence is an obligation," the appeal concludes. There was no immediate government response.