Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov discussed, in Sofia, security and military exercises after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with his counterpart from North Macedonia Slavjanka Petrovska.

“We face a very clear task, as do the coming generations – that the Balkans never again be referred to as the powder keg of Europe. Being members of NATO, we must do everything we can so that the war does not spread outside Ukraine,” Minister Zakov said.

“The unprovoked aggression against independent and sovereign Ukraine proves there can be no lasting peace. Peace and stability is something we need to work for, all of us, together. Bulgaria has an ally at its border to the West, with which it is building collective security,” Minister Petrovska said.