The ruling majority in the Bulgarian parliament has agreed to grant Ukraine Bulgarian airspace for training F-16 fighter jets, according to a draft decision proposed by the leaders of the three pro-government formations.

One of the eight points of the draft decision proposed by the leaders of the three parties in the government – ​​the coalition PP-DB, GERB and DPS – includes: “The government should ensure that Bulgaria participates and contributes according to its capabilities to the coalition of countries to develop the capabilities of the Air Force of Ukraine to use F-16 aircraft, including conducting joint exercises and using the country’s airspace.”

Their support means the draft decision will pass without a hitch, despite expected resistance from the pro-Russian Bulgarian Socialist Party and Vazrazhdane, which recently even called for a vote of confidence in Nikolai Denkof’s government.

Their rationale also includes the government’s position on sending military aid to Ukraine.

Another proposal in the draft decision stipulates that the Council of Ministers should conduct negotiations with the governments of NATO allies on the development of allied anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile systems to strengthen Bulgaria’s defense capabilities.

The decision also stipulates that Bulgaria will provide Ukraine with “defective, out-of-order or surplus man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems and anti-aircraft missiles of various types.”

The draft decision obliges the government to request compensation for these costs from the European Peace Facility, as well as from other funds.

It is also proposed to allow up to four infantry or motorized companies of the Ukrainian army, up to 160 soldiers, to reside on Bulgarian soil annually to undergo combat training.