Former president, PMs, diplomats, in public appeal to Radev government to protect national security
Former president Rossen Plevneliev, four former prime ministers, diplomats and public figures have united in a public appeal to Bulgaria’s Roumen Radev government to protect national security at a time of growing threats to the security of Bulgaria and the region.
The text of the appeal was signed by former prime ministers – from different political parties – Ivan Kostov, Boiko Borissov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolai Denkov, 18 former cabinet ministers, reserve generals and senior officers, diplomats and public figures.
The appeal calls on Bulgaria’s citizens “to demand from politicians not promises that Bulgaria will be protected from war through good relations with the Kremlin, but evidence that the state is capable of protecting its citizens and is taking adequate action”.
“Peace is not guaranteed by hoping that Putin will spare us if we distance ourselves from Ukraine, the EU and Nato. It is defended with combat-ready armed forces, effective security services, modern surveillance systems, credible deterrence and, above all, in close coordination and joint efforts with our allies and partners from the EU and Nato,” the appeal says.
It says that Bulgaria, given the current state of the armed forces and against the backdrop of the campaign to instill fear and paralyse society, is facing growing risks with political leadership that does not demonstrate the necessary determination and readiness to protect national security and the interests of citizens.
“The Black Sea is becoming a military zone. Bulgaria must be ready to defend itself. The repeated drone attacks against merchant ships in the Black Sea, including off the Bulgarian coast and in Romanian territorial waters, as well as the subversive operations of Russian services on the territory of both countries established in recent years, are a sign of a growing escalation of risks and threats to the security of Bulgaria and the region,” it says.
This is the full text:
PUBLIC APPEAL
To
The Citizens of Bulgaria
The National Assembly
The Government
The European Union and Nato
The Black Sea is turning into a military zone. Bulgaria must be prepared to defend itself.
Repeated drone attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea—including near the Bulgarian coast and within Romanian territorial waters—coupled with subversive operations by Russian intelligence services on the territory of both nations in recent years, signal a growing escalation of risks and threats to the security of Bulgaria and the region.
These are not merely isolated incidents affecting shipping; they raise fundamental questions regarding the protection of citizens, critical infrastructure, and national sovereignty.
While one might offer varying assessments of the level of risk—whether we are witnessing a new phase of escalation, preparations for a broader confrontation, or the initial manifestations thereof—the trend toward an intensifying and expanding military risk in the Black Sea is undeniable.
Each individual incident must be investigated, and responsibility must be established based on evidence. However, the absence of definitive attribution for any specific strike cannot serve as a justification for inaction or a lack of preparedness.
We are deeply concerned that, given the current state of its armed forces—and amidst a campaign designed to sow fear and paralyze society—Bulgaria is facing these mounting risks under a political leadership that fails to demonstrate the resolve and readiness necessary to safeguard national security and the interests of its citizens.
We call upon Bulgarian citizens:
To demand from politicians not promises that Bulgaria will be shielded from war through good relations with the Kremlin, but rather proof that the state is capable of protecting its citizens and is taking appropriate action.
Peace is not guaranteed by the hope that Putin will spare us if we distance ourselves from Ukraine, the EU, and Nato. It is secured through combat-ready armed forces, effective security services, modern surveillance systems, credible deterrence, and—above all—through close coordination and joint efforts with our allies and partners in the EU and Nato.
Defence does not imply a desire for war. Bulgaria has no intention of attacking anyone. Defence means being prepared to prevent aggression from reaching our own doorstep.
The upcoming presidential elections offer an opportunity to clearly present issues regarding security, allied solidarity, and Bulgaria’s place in European politics to the public.
We call upon the Bulgarian government:
To prioritise national security over current political considerations and to take concrete action:
To unequivocally condemn the escalation of Russian military operations in the Black Sea and its transformation into a zone of increasing military risk;
To strengthen the surveillance and defense of its airspace and maritime domain, utilizing its own assets while working in close cooperation within Nato;
To accelerate the development of capabilities to counter unmanned systems, drawing extensively on the experience of Ukraine.
To ensure effective coordination between the armed forces, security services, and civilian institutions, including with regard to destabilizing and subversive operations;
To work actively with allies to protect shipping, ports, and critical infrastructure in the Black Sea. The government must not merely establish what has already occurred, but must ensure that Bulgaria is prepared for the next threat.
We call upon our allies and partners within the EU and Nato to:
Treat Black Sea security as an immediate priority and strengthen the coordinated defense of the Alliance’s eastern flank.
Integrated maritime and air surveillance, the timely exchange of intelligence, joint capabilities to counter aerial and maritime drones, and concrete measures to protect commercial shipping, ports, and energy infrastructure are essential.
Bulgaria must be an initiator and an active participant in these efforts, rather than a weak link in our collective allied defence.
Peace requires preparedness.
We do not wish for the war to expand. We want to prevent Bulgaria from being drawn into it. However, this cannot be achieved by keeping a low profile, relying on political assurances, or hoping for goodwill from Moscow.
A lack of readiness to respond increases the risk of further provocations and new attacks.
The more EU and Nato resources we can secure, and the better prepared Bulgaria is to defend itself, the more credible our deterrence will be—and the greater the chance that peace will be preserved.
We call upon citizens to demand accountability, the government to take action, and the EU and Nato to strengthen the collective defence of the Black Sea.
We must not wait for another sunken ship, an attack on infrastructure, an act of terrorism, or casualties to recognise the scale of the risk and the necessity for preparedness.
National security cannot be held hostage to political illusions. Peace is the goal. Defence is a duty.
Sofia, October 15 2026
This appeal is open for endorsement by professionals with experience in foreign policy, defence, and security.
So far, the following have done so:
• Rossen Plevneliev, President
Prime Ministers
• Boiko Borissov
• Ivan Kostov
• Kiril Petkov
• Nikolai Denkov
Ministers
• Anyu Angelov
• Assen Vasilev
• Atanas Zapryanov
• Boiko Noev
• Valentin Radev
• Velizar Shalamanov
• Gergana Passi
• Daniel Mitov
• Korman Ismailov
• Lidiya Shouleva
• Meglena Kouneva
• Nadezhda Neynski
• Nikolai Nenchev
• Nikolai Svinarov
• Rumyana Bachvarova
• Solomon Passi
• Todor Tagarev
• Traicho Traikov
Senior Officers (Retired/Reserve)
• Lieutenant General Chavdar Chervenkov
• Major General Stefan Dimitrov
• Brigadier General Dinko Ivanov
Diplomats and Public Figures
• Valeri Rachev
• Vessela Tcherneva
• Dimitar Ivanovski
• Elena Poptodorova
• Ivan Anchev
• Ilian Vassilev
• Orhan Ismailov
• Radan Kanev
• Stefan Tafrov
• Stoyan Stalev
