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Türkiye Today (1 September 2025)
By Huseyin Efe Uzun

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent visit to Bulgaria underscores the country’s rising importance in Europe’s collective defense, particularly amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. At the VMZ-Sopot ordnance plant, one of Bulgaria’s longstanding defense facilities, von der Leyen highlighted the nation’s pivotal contributions to Ukrainian security and outlined plans for deeper integration into E.U. defense structures.

Von der Leyen reminded delegates that roughly one-third of Ukraine’s weapons at the beginning of Russia’s invasion came from Bulgaria, demonstrating Bulgaria’s key role in regional defense. “I want to thank Bulgaria for this extraordinary contribution in defense of its neighbor and friend, Ukraine,” she said, stressing that Moscow’s aggression can only be restrained through coordinated military capacity

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov reinforced the message, highlighting Bulgaria’s commitment to supporting allied operations in the Black Sea, from mine-clearing missions to providing critical airport infrastructure for NATO forces. These actions, he noted, would be undertaken within the framework approved by Bulgaria’s National Assembly, highlighting the country’s commitment to both national and collective European security.

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