Investigation Exposes Bulgarian Role in Massive Russian Money-Laundering Operation
Bulgarian brokerage firms have been implicated in an international investigation into a Russian money-laundering scheme. According to Intelligence Online
Todor Tagarev, former Defense Minister of Bulgaria, stated that the global landscape is shifting, with the United States increasingly focused on its own interests rather than global values or concerns for world order. He pointed out that even if Vice President Kamala Harris manages to reverse the election result, the Republicans have already secured a majority in the Senate. He emphasized that America is prioritizing its own needs, rather than leading with a focus on shared democratic values.
Tagarev added that Europe must learn to independently safeguard its security and economy. He stressed that Ukraine will continue to be a major challenge for the continent, which has historically relied on U.S. leadership in defense matters. However, he questioned whether the U.S. will continue to lead in Europe as it has in the past, or whether European unity will increasingly be influenced by Russian interests.
The former minister believes Europe must take on a greater responsibility for its own security, as the nature of U.S. involvement in NATO remains uncertain. He noted that while the U.S. is unlikely to leave the alliance, it is unclear how actively it will engage moving forward.
Tagarev also commented on the ongoing Middle East conflict, highlighting the biblical significance of the situation. He praised Israel for limiting the influence of Iran and its proxies, though he acknowledged that a permanent solution to the issue would be difficult to find. Regarding former President Trump, Tagarev expressed that while Trump may surround himself with more radical figures in his second term, he does not expect any drastic actions.
Asen Vassilev, co-chair of the opposition party "We Continue the Change," sharply criticized the government’s decision to nominate Rumen Spetsov as special manager of Lukoil Neftochim
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov told the parliamentary defense committee that Bulgaria expects the F-16 Block 70 fighters to become fully operational in 2028
The Bulgarian government has put forward Rumen Spetsov as the special sales representative for Lukoil Neftochim
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence is set to receive a budget of EUR 2.708 billion for 2026
Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev assured on Thursday that Bulgaria will not face a fuel crisis, stressing that the government is doing everything in its power to prevent one
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov admitted that he does not consider the draft state budget for 2026 to be a good one, yet described it as the only feasible option under the current geopolitical and domestic circumstances
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence