United States to send Stryker army contingent to Bulgaria to strengthen NATO's eastern flank
The US will provide a Stryker armored vehicle company for a NATO battlegroup in Bulgaria to bolster the military alliance's defenses amid Russia's war on Ukraine, the Bulgarian prime minister said on Saturday.
- World
- DPA
- Published Date: 06:40 | 19 March 2022
- Modified Date: 07:00 | 19 March 2022
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said the United States would send a contingent of troops to the country to strengthen NATO's eastern flank amid the war in Ukraine.
Petkov made the announcement after holding talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Sofia on Saturday.
The US Stryker army contingent is to be part of a NATO battle group in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said.
Petkov assured that there would be no arms deliveries from Bulgaria to Ukraine.
"We have not talked in any way about military support for Ukraine," he said during a press conference.
Prior to Austin's visit, there was an uproar in Bulgaria over reports in the international media that Bulgaria might hand over its Soviet-designed S-300 air defence system to Ukraine.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev warned against supplying weapons to Ukraine and thus involving Bulgaria more directly in the conflict.
Bulgaria will, however, continue to provide humanitarian support to Ukrainians, Petkov said. Austin had earlier praised Bulgaria's aid to Ukraine and response to refugees fleeing the war.
Austin and Petkov had visited Bulgarian and US military personnel training at a military compound in eastern Bulgaria on Friday.
Petkov made the announcement after holding talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Sofia on Saturday.
The US Stryker army contingent is to be part of a NATO battle group in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said.
Petkov assured that there would be no arms deliveries from Bulgaria to Ukraine.
"We have not talked in any way about military support for Ukraine," he said during a press conference.
Prior to Austin's visit, there was an uproar in Bulgaria over reports in the international media that Bulgaria might hand over its Soviet-designed S-300 air defence system to Ukraine.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev warned against supplying weapons to Ukraine and thus involving Bulgaria more directly in the conflict.
Bulgaria will, however, continue to provide humanitarian support to Ukrainians, Petkov said. Austin had earlier praised Bulgaria's aid to Ukraine and response to refugees fleeing the war.
Austin and Petkov had visited Bulgarian and US military personnel training at a military compound in eastern Bulgaria on Friday.
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