Enlargement of NATO

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday played down the threat of escalation from Moscow, after the United States authorised Kiev to use American weapons to hit targets inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to NATO countries, especially the smaller, densely populated European nations, cautioning them about the dangers of provoking Russia. Putin emphasized that these countries should be mindful of their size and population density when discussing the possibility of strikes deep into Russian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated today that Ukraine should conduct presidential elections following the conclusion of President Volodymyr Zelensky's five-year term, according to Reuters. However, elections are not planned due to an earlier decision, deemed appropriate by Zelensky and his allies given the wartime circumstances.

From Sofia, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly issued a strong appeal to the governments of the Alliance member countries to bolster their support for Ukraine. This call to action was made clear during a forum preceding the NATO summit in Washington.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, NATO is directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Peskov criticized NATO for escalating the situation and using military rhetoric that heightens tensions. He stated that NATO's actions are contributing to the conflict's intensity.

Spain will send Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a 1.13 billion euro (1.23 billion USD) arms package, according to Reuters. El Pais reported, citing unnamed sources, that the package, announced last month, includes a dozen Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and 19 used German Leopard 2A4 tanks, along with Spanish-made anti-drone equipment and ammunition.

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has adopted a declaration permitting Ukraine to use Western military aid to strike targets within Russian territory. This decision was made during the plenary session in Sofia, with the majority of delegates supporting the measure despite nine opposing votes.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the need for NATO to play a greater role in coordinating and planning military assistance to Ukraine, along with committing to a multi-year financial framework to support Kyiv.

Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev emphasized the significance of Bulgaria's NATO membership as a cornerstone for national security during the opening of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Sofia.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Bulgaria and was welcomed at Sofia airport by Daniel Mitov, the head of the National Assembly's delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Mitov expressed gratitude for Stoltenberg's visit, highlighting its significance as Bulgaria marks its 20th anniversary as a NATO member.