Foreign Ministry: Bulgaria stands in solidarity with Germany following the hybrid attack in Leipzig

Bulgaria stands in solidarity with Germany following the hybrid attack in Leipzig, the Foreign Ministry said on X on September 2.

“Hybrid attacks against our partners and allies are unacceptable. Bulgaria will continue to support strong and coordinated efforts to counter hybrid threats and safeguard our shared security,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The BBC reported that Germany has said Russia was responsible for last month’s drone attack at Leipzig’s airport.

A drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany, close to Ukrainian cargo planes, on August 4, the BBC report said.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry brief statement on X did not mention Russia by name.

On September 2, opposition GERB-UDF MP and former foreign minister Georg Georgiev said that President Iliana Yotova should convene the Consultative Council on National Security because of Germany’s accusations against Russia for the drone attack on Leipzig airport.

“This is an attack against our largest economic and political ally,” Georgiev said.

Speaking before the Foreign Ministry statement emerged, Georgiev said that there were comments from Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but “Bulgaria is silent about the fact that Russia is behind this and several other attacks”.

“What needs to happen for Bulgaria to show solidarity? What is happening to security in our country, if Russia is capable of reaching even Germany?” Georgiev said.

He said that Bulgaria was distancing itself and, as was evident from the absence of political reactions, “we are not standing in solidarity with our allies”.

“Germany is introducing additional measures. The reactions will not be limited to political ones. Bulgaria must say ‘for’ and ‘against’, or we will again proceed to the derogation of dubious individuals,” Georgiev said.

“(Prime Minister Roumen) Radev in the Council of Ministers had the chance to condemn this and say what he thinks on the subject of security, because the threats are visible. And our head is deep in the diplomatic sand,” he said.

Democratic Bulgaria also criticised the position of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry. According to MP Ivailo Mirchev, Bulgaria is the only country that does not mention Russia in connection with the case.

“There is a position, but Russia is not mentioned anywhere, as if nothing had happened. Instead of a clear position, we have a downgrade, and the topic is even missing from the Foreign Ministry’s website,” Mirchev said.