Rumen Radev: Bulgaria stands with Germany in response to any hybrid or other attacks

Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria stands with Germany in response to any hybrid and other attacks. At Parliament's Question Time on Friday he was answering a question about the German government's accusation that Russia was behind an attempted attack involving an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

"Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry responded appropriately and firmly - we support our economic and investment partner Germany", Radev said. He added he had discussed the topic with European Council President Antonio Costa in Sofia on Thursday and there were no complaints directed at Bulgaria or it's Foreign Minister. "To me, this was a reckless action by Russia", Radev said, describing the case as complex and extremely worrying.

"Usually, when firm positions are expressed following political statements, specific facts are provided through the security services. We have not received any such information yet", Radev stated. He added that the conclusion pointing to a Russian hybrid attack was based on the findings surrounding the drone, noting that this was the wording used by Germany's senior leadership.

"The collective West is trying to achieve a conventional victory over Russia without taking into account the fact that it is the world's largest nuclear power and that we cannot counter its hypersonic weapons, as we see every night over Kyiv", Radev reminded. "This heightens the risk, and I believe Europe must finally start factoring in that risk and talks should begin as soon as possible, because this war is expanding geographically and the risk is increasing day by day", PM said.