Bulgaria is delaying the delivery of 100 armoured personnel vehicles (APV) to the Ukrainian army, as the country's defence ministry asked NATO to pay for the transport costs.
Why is the APV's delivery delayed?
The decision to send the APV was made more than three months ago in the Bulgarian parliament, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed an agreement on their supply.
Bulgaria can help Ukraine a lot, but it is being delayed because the administration of the Ministry of Defense is not working optimally, said MP Ivaylo Mirchev from the ruling coalition "We continue the changes — Democratic Bulgaria".
Bulgarian MOD chief Todor Tagarev is constantly criticised for his slow actions by Bulgarian parties supporting Sofia's pro-European government.
Tagarev explained the delay by the fact that Sofia was checking whether NATO allies could finance the transportation.
It is not an elementary transport operation because many warehouses must be involved.
Todor Tagarev
Bulgarian MOD chief
The Minister of Defence explained that logistics are complicated, and Bulgaria's efforts are "appreciated by the Ukrainian side."
Bulgaria's aid to Ukraine
In February, a Bulgarian parliamentary delegation came to Kyiv. The issues of armoured personnel vehicles and other military aid were raised during the visit.
In the latest package of military aid to Kyiv, the Bulgarian authorities promised weapons that Bulgaria has had since the time of the USSR — spare parts for S-300 missile launchers, old S-300 missiles, armoured personnel vehicles, rounds, mortars and other equipment.
In December 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for delivering armoured personnel vehicles and a new military aid package from Bulgaria.
