Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

US steps up engagement with Black Sea countries

Bulgarian Ambassador to the United States Georgi Panayotov
Photo: BGNES

Washington is preparing a strategy for the Black Sea region. This is a continuation of the Black Sea Security Act of 2023 and part of the US defence budget, Bulgarian Ambassador to the United States Georgi Panayotov told BNR. In his words, this shows the importance of the region to Washington. 


"This will not be a public document. It is about a stronger commitment of the United States to all Black Sea littoral states in the areas of energy security, infrastructure, trade and investment, support for strengthening democratic institutions, fighting corruption. The importance of the Black Sea region is growing. The assessment of the US, of NATO, is that if Ukraine is defeated, it will be the end of the security system as we know it," Panayotov said. He stressed that Bulgaria should invest in defence and modernise its own armed forces.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria buys 35 EMUs for state railways

A contract for the purchase of 35 electric multiple units (EMUs) has been signed at the Council of Ministers. This is the largest order placed by the Bulgarian state in the last 20 years and the largest investment in rolling stock, announced Transport..

published on 4/25/25 1:50 PM
Atanas Zapryanov

Bulgaria needs to reorganize and modernize its arms industry, says Minister Zapryanov

If we delay and do not reorganize and modernize our arms industry, in 5-6 years it will be exotic for the European arms market. This is a major challenge", said Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov during the discussion “The Hague 2025:..

published on 4/25/25 12:01 PM
Mark Rutte

Bulgaria meets NATO's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense

In 2024, Bulgaria spent USD 2.208 billion (3.964 billion BGN), or 2.04% of its GDP, on defense, reads the annual report of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. For the first time, the country has met the NATO target set in 2014, which requires each..

published on 4/25/25 10:53 AM