Russian Action in Ukraine 'Could Affect Bulgaria' - NATO Official

The activities of Russia in the Crimean peninsula and Eastern Ukraine is a deviation if international norms that could affect Bulgaria, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe has said.

Speaking in a press briefing in Sofia with Bulgaria's Chief of Defense, Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov, Gen Adrian Bradshaw said recent developments could have repercussions not only on Bulgaria, but on all NATO members as well, and on the ones located on the Alliance's eastern flank in particular.

Gen Bradshaw said it was absolutely necessary to assure allies they will be supported in case of any threat under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, which says "an armed attack against one or more of [The Parties] in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all."

With the Bulgarian Chief of Defense he discussed international drills of allied forces currently held in Bulgaria and also measures to set up efficient NATO crisis response forces.

He hailed Bulgaria's contribution to collective security and tho the Alliance in general.

Nikolov for his part said Bulgaria was ready to carry out its security commitments.

He asserted that the ongoing exercises were not related to the present events in Ukraine and are not related to a "specific operation", since they were planned well beforehand, in 2013-2014, Darik Radio reports.

Alongside Vice Admiral Nikolov, during his visit to Sofia Gen Bradshaw met Deputy Defense Minister Dimitar Kyumyurdzhiev.