Italy has taken over the command of a new NATO battle group stationed in Bulgaria, one of four set up in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The battle group will include NATO members Albania, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, and the United States, as well as Bulgaria and Italy.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Christopher Cavoli, said the participating countries had rushed to bolster Bulgaria’s security.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who reviewed the assembled troops, told media that he did not believe Bulgaria should provide weapons to Ukraine “without introducing new models as replacements” as this would worsen Bulgaria’s own military readiness.