site.btaPresident Radev: "Stefan Yanev Was a Successful Prime Minister, but I Expected More of Him as Defence Minister"

Commenting on Stefan Yanev's replacement as defence minister, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said Yanev had been a successful caretaker Prime Minister in difficult times, and it was his government that started the change. Radev spoke to reporters after Dragomir Zakov replaced Yanev here on Tuesday.

Radev stressed he had expected more of Yanev as defence minister. According to the President, Yanev should have been more proactive and committed to the problems of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, such as guaranteeing their combat capability and accelerated modernization.

“I am not launching any political projects with anyone. I am strictly adhering to my constitutional duties within the scope of my powers,” Radev said.

The President added that he knows the new Defence Minister and that he is familiar with Zakov’s “very good” work as Bulgaria's Permanent Representative to NATO.

Radev expects Bulgaria's defence policy to protect the country's interests and achieve specific results, regardless of who the minister is.

Asked if Bulgaria will provide military support to Ukraine, Radev said that such a decision rests with the government and if the cabinet makes such a decision, it will need Parliament's approval.

“This shameful fratricidal aggression, this war that kills people and leads to severe losses and suffering, deserves sanction and all of Europe and the world is uniting around this,” Radev stated.