Tagarev: Ukraine is unlikely to receive an invitation to join the Alliance

"We have no expectations that Ukraine will receive an invitation for membership due to the specific positions of some member countries".

This was stated to the BNR by the former Minister of Defense Prof. Todor Tagarev in connection with the NATO summit in Washington.

"We expect that there will be no decision to invite Ukraine to NATO membership, but conditions must be created for the so-called bridge to future membership. From this point of view, maybe there will be decisions from the meeting," he said, but added that massive assistance in serious financial terms, conclusion of bilateral agreements on strategic partnership with Ukraine and provision of guarantees for its security are expected.

"Necessary air defense systems, longer range strike systems should be provided. We expect that the restrictions on the use of the provided military aid will gradually be removed, so that Ukraine can be an equal country in the war with Russia," the expert emphasized.

The USA has a leading role in NATO, Prof. Tagarev reminded, noting that there is no way its leadership role in this alliance will be replaced in the foreseeable future.

"We hope that President Biden will be in good shape and spirit to realize the goals of the summit, which after a 25-year hiatus is back in Washington and again at a critical time.

We have to deal with very serious direct threats to our security and with very serious challenges for the future, he commented.

According to him, the most important thing is to ensure that the regional plans, which were adopted at the summit in Vilnius last July, can be implemented and decisions will be made on an adequate command and control structure, adequate forces to implement of the plans as well as solutions for the Alliance's air defense and all necessary operational capabilities.

"For us, this is leading. The fulfillment of these requirements is tied to the assistance that the Union must be determined to provide to Ukraine. We await important decisions related to guaranteeing the predictability of this assistance.

The plans will not be updated, but we expect them to be filled with content, said Prof. Tagarev. According to him, it will take several years to ensure that these plans can be implemented in the best possible way. It will be the same for all necessary infrastructures, he added.

"These are processes that are already underway. All countries are raising defense spending. This creates better conditions for building these abilities. It won't happen magically, but in time it will come true".

Todor Tagarev noted that there is talk of training Ukrainian troops on the territory of Ukraine. There is an ambition expressed by individual countries and leaders for armies to be engaged in such training, he pointed out, and opined that this was unlikely to be reflected in the communiqué from the meeting. According to him, it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached on this issue.

"If such training is done, it will probably be on a bilateral basis".

"We will continue to interact under any American administration and under any confluence of circumstances in various areas from a military point of view. Europe has the capacity to independently provide the necessary conventional capabilities to prevent or reflect aggression from the East. Europe is on the way to guaranteeing more of its own security, including with military instruments. This is good for both Europe and NATO.

The expert does not expect shocks. Hungary's position is known, he reminded and emphasized that decisions in NATO are made by the member countries.

"The Secretary General has an important role to ensure the necessary dialogue, to look for options, to show flexibility to find consensus between divergent positions. Mark Rutte is perfectly prepared and perfectly qualified to fill this role. This is an extremely good choice", believes Todor Tagarev.

Bulgaria has no other guarantees for its security, apart from NATO membership, the expert pointed out. According to him, the Bulgarian position for the meeting is sound and well thought out. In this regard, he does not expect any surprises.