Diman Georgiev: Ukraine must be accepted into NATO, Bulgaria lost the opportunity for triangular deals

Ukraine's accession to NATO is a sensitive issue because Ukraine is important for the whole of Europe, Col. Ret. Diman Georgiev, an expert on international and national security and a member of the Atlantic Council, said on BGNES's English-language morning block.

"Ukraine's accession to NATO is a sensitive issue because Ukraine is important for all of Europe. If Kiev wins, it will be good for Europe, especially because of the things the Russian army did. Peace is necessary, but it can only be achieved on the battlefield. In Vilnius, it must be decided how many weapons Ukraine needs to win. Ukraine needs aircraft for successful offensive operations, as well as air defence. The second decision must be Ukraine's membership of NATO. Some countries are not so sure about that. Some fear nuclear escalation," Georgiev said.

He added that for him Ukraine should be accepted into NATO at some point.

"Biden said the US would give Kiev the same guarantees that Israel has. For me Ukraine should be accepted at some point. It all depends on the course of the war."

"I think the Ukrainians have more capabilities to achieve their goals. The army has better morale, better weapons, long-range missiles. Time is in Ukraine's favor," Georgiev added.

He also commented on Bulgaria's place at the NATO summit, saying he was pleased that Denkov, and not Radev, would represent the country.

"I am happy that our prime minister is going and not the president because Radev has positions that are not accepted in NATO. He was trying to pretend to be a peacemaker. When someone attacks you, you must have the means to defend yourself. I don't see him going to Moscow to ask Putin for peace. He wants that from Zelensky, not from the aggressor."

Colonel Diman Georgiev also commented on the possibility of Bulgaria reaching the NATO target of 2%.

"I hope that the government will move in the direction of 2% defense spending. This has been postponed for too long, something around 1% for years. I trust that Minister Tagarev will move in the right direction."

And given the triangular aid deals for Ukraine, Georgiev thinks Bulgaria missed the opportunity.

"I think we lost the moment for deals on new weapons. Tagarev said Ukraine doesn't want our Mig-29s anymore. They are already ready for Western aircraft. We lost the moment to send air defense. I don't know if it's true, but the US offered $200 million for our systems to be given to Ukraine, and then to get "Patriot", but now it's too late. Radev's caretaker government has done everything it can to not help Ukraine with what it needs."

"I think they're going to draw up a roadmap for Ukraine's NATO membership, and there will be more news about weapons, such as long-range missiles. That's what I expect," Georgiev concluded. / BGNES