Ursula von der Leyen: Bulgaria actively contributes to the defense and security of both Ukraine and Europe
SOPOT – Bulgaria actively contributes to the defense and security of both Ukraine and Europe, for which I thank you, said the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen, who, together with the Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, visited the largest state military enterprise in Bulgaria – “Vazovski Machine-Building Plants” – Sopot. Von der Leyen was in Bulgaria as part of a tour of the countries on the eastern border of the EU.
Bulgaria’s contribution is a reason for not only national but also European pride, she noted.
Bulgaria has an exceptionally strong tradition in the defense industry, pointed out the EC President. Here, you produce large quantities of ammunition and shells, many of which support Ukraine and its fight for freedom, noted Ursula von der Leyen, adding that since the beginning of the war, one-third of the weapons used in Ukraine come from Bulgaria.
With the strengthening of Ukraine’s defense capability, we must take greater responsibility for our own defense. To improve our readiness and our defense position, we need to actively engage at the level of the European Council, at the European level, primarily for financial support, Ursula von der Leyen further stated. She recalled that through the SAFE instrument, €150 billion will be available for interested member states for investments in defense. Von der Leyen thanked Bulgaria for its quick response to submit a funding request under this instrument.
In October, we will discuss in the European Council what the gaps in our defense capability are, how to fill them, and what goals we need to achieve by 2030 to address the gaps and shortcomings in our defense position, the EC President added.
The “White Paper” and the SAFE mechanism are prerequisites that since the beginning of this year provide clear prospects for the development of industrial defense capacities, and this means technological transfer and many opportunities for Bulgaria, which will also enhance the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. He added that it is important for Bulgaria, as a Black Sea country, to provide all security guarantees.
The prospects for the European defense industry and the need for its development are conditioned by the need to develop Europe’s defense capacity, the Prime Minister pointed out. He added that security guarantees are needed, especially in the military doctrines of the Russian Federation.
What Bulgaria will contribute to security guarantees in the maritime domain, in accordance with the EU strategy for the Black Sea, is to continue anti-mine operations, to ensure the freedom of navigation, the Prime Minister noted. According to him, the country is ready to do this with two mine countermeasure vessels and supporting ones. In the air domain, the country will contribute by providing airport infrastructure, Zhelyazkov said, adding that there will be other opportunities that will be relevant when a political decision and ceasefire are achieved. We are bound by the framework of the decisions of the National Assembly, but we will be a loyal partner and ally so that the EU’s goals for a stronger and more resilient union, which will deter any aggression, can be fulfilled, the Prime Minister noted.
At VMZ – Sopot, Ursula von der Leyen got acquainted with the existing production. A meeting was held at the plant, which was also attended by the Bulgarian Ministers of Defense and Economy and Industry – Atanas Zapryanov and Petar Dilov, as well as the chairman of the GERB-SDS parliamentary group Boyko Borissov.
VMZ – Sopot and the German military concern “Rheinmetall” will create a joint venture for the production of gunpowder and shells, Zapryanov announced in a television interview. Last week, the CEO of “Rheinmetall” Armin Papperger said that the planned shell factory in Bulgaria will have a capacity of 100-150,000 units per year. The second project – for a gunpowder factory, will be of great significance given the large needs for gunpowder in Europe, he explained.
The Bulgarian Council of Ministers informed about a problem with the flight of the EC President. They indicated that during the approach for landing at Plovdiv Airport, the GPS signal disappeared. The government information service reported that to ensure the safety of the flight, the Air Traffic Control immediately proposed an alternative approach for landing using ground navigation aids. The European Commission was informed by the Bulgarian authorities about the incident involving the jamming of the GPS signal during the flight over Plovdiv of the plane carrying von der Leyen, said EC spokespersons Ariana Podesta and Anna-Kaisa Ikonen. Bulgarian authorities informed us that they suspect deliberate interference from Russia, Podesta told reporters in Brussels. Regarding the incident, European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius announced that the European Union will deploy additional satellites in low Earth orbit to enhance resilience against GPS disruptions and will improve capabilities for their detection. (31.08. – 1.09.2025)
