Bulgaria Receives €500 Million for Military Aid to Ukraine

Bulgaria is set to receive approximately 500 million euros in compensation for its military aid to Ukraine, as reported by Euractiv. This financial support comes from various donors, including 174 million euros already received from Denmark and an expected additional 300 million euros from the U.S. and European Commission. Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov emphasized that aiding Ukraine also benefits Bulgaria, allowing the country to modernize its military with Western weapons while divesting old Soviet-standard equipment. Bulgaria has sent six military aid packages, consisting mainly of ammunition and armored vehicles, with the details of specific shipments kept under wraps for security reasons. Despite the financial benefits, pro-Russian sentiments persist within Bulgaria, with opposition parties voicing concerns against the aid. The funds are crucial for Bulgaria's military modernization and budget stabilization efforts as the government aims to meet Eurozone entry criteria by 2026.