Bulgaria's new defense strategy designates Russia as major security threat

That’s according to Novinite, Ukrinform reports.

The report notes that the document, approved by the government led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, outlines the changing security landscape in Europe following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The defense strategy emphasizes that Russia's aggression has violated international legal norms, destabilized the European security architecture, and created an "unpredictable environment." The document does not rule out the possibility of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of NATO and EU member states being violated.

According to the document, regardless of how the war in Ukraine unfolds, Russia is expected to maintain its ambitions for military parity with the West, which increases the risk of nuclear escalation. In Bulgaria, it is expected that the confrontation between Russia and NATO, especially with the United States, will persist, and that Russian leadership will continue to portray American policy as an attempt to suppress its development and hinder the achievement of its strategic goals.

The strategy notes that Russia’s war in Ukraine will continue to worsen relations between Moscow and the European Union. In Bulgaria, it is believed that the Russian economy will face mounting challenges due to EU sanctions and energy diversification, which will weaken Russia’s position in European markets.

“This economic pressure could lead to greater political instability within Russia and increase the likelihood of a renewed "iron curtain,’” the report says.

It is also expected that, in contrast to the reduction of its influence, Russia will intensify its efforts in information warfare, political interference, and economic leverage against individual EU member states in order to create divisions and resist sanctions.

The document draws attention to Russia’s broader strategic ambitions, including in the post-Soviet space, which Moscow sees as a buffer against NATO and the EU.

“The Kremlin's long-term goal remains not only to block Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration but also to undermine its sovereignty,” the report says.

The strategy also says Russia could apply a similar approach toward Moldova and Georgia.

Regarding the Western Balkans, the defense strategy warns of unresolved regional problems that could fuel nationalism and populism, further destabilizing the security environment.

Meanwhile, external actors, including Russia, China, and some Arab countries, are identified as those playing a role in maintaining instability in the Balkans to advance their own geopolitical interests.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on December 19, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkinen rolled out a new defense outlook for the period up to the 2030s, where Russia is recognized as a major threat to the country.