The Black Sea is turning into a war zone and Bulgaria must be ready to defend itself, says an open appeal signed in Sofia on 15 October by a former president, former prime ministers, ministers, retired generals, diplomats and public figures.
The signatories want stronger national security, closer coordination with the EU and NATO, and preparation for threats at sea. The appeal is addressed to Bulgarian citizens, parliament, the government, the European Union and NATO.
So far the signatures include former president Rosen Plevneliev and former prime ministers Boyko Borisov, Ivan Kostov, Kiril Petkov and Nikolay Denkov. Former ministers who signed include Anyu Angelov, Asen Vassilev, Atanas Zapryanov, Boyko Noev, Valentin Radev, Velizar Shalamanov, Gergana Passy, Daniel Mitov, Korman Ismailov, Lidia Shuleva, Meglena Kuneva, Nadezhda Neynsky, Nikolay Nenchev, Nikolay Svinarov, Rumyana Bachvarova, Solomon Passy, Todor Tagarev and Traycho Traykov.
Lieutenant general Chavdar Chervenkov, major general Stefan Dimitrov and brigadier general Dinko Ivanov also back the appeal. So do diplomats and public figures Valeri Rachev, Vesela Cherneva, Dimitar Ivanovski, Elena Poptodorova, Ivan Anchev, Ilian Vassilev, Orhan Ismailov, Radan Kanev, Stefan Tafrov and Stoyan Stalev.
The appeal follows repeated drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, including off the Bulgarian coast and in Romanian territorial waters. The authors also point to sabotage operations by Russian intelligence services uncovered in Bulgaria and Romania in recent years.
The signatories say the risks for Bulgaria and the region are growing. Shipping, people's safety, critical infrastructure and national sovereignty are under threat. Assessments may differ: a new phase of escalation, preparation for a wider confrontation, or its first signs. But the direction is clear, they say: the military risk in the Black Sea is rising and spreading.
The authors want every incident investigated and blame assigned on the basis of evidence. If it is unclear who is behind an attack, that does not excuse inaction, they write.
They say they are worried that, given the state of the army and amid a campaign to spread fear, the political leadership is not showing the resolve needed to protect people. They call on citizens to ask politicians for proof that the state can protect them, not promises that good relations with the Kremlin will keep war away.
"Peace is not guaranteed by hoping that Putin will spare us if we distance ourselves from Ukraine, the European Union and NATO," the authors write. In their view, peace is kept with an army able to fight, well-working security services, modern surveillance, credible deterrence and, above all, close coordination with allies.
Defence does not mean wanting war, and Bulgaria does not plan to attack anyone, the signatories say. Their aim is to stop aggression reaching Bulgarian homes. They do not want the war to spread or Bulgaria to be dragged into it. Keeping a low profile, giving political assurances or hoping for goodwill from Moscow cannot achieve that, they say.
The authors see the coming presidential election as a chance to put security, allied solidarity and Bulgaria's place in Europe clearly before voters. They ask the government to put security above current political calculations, act in concrete ways and prepare the country for the next threat.
The signatories want the EU and NATO to make Black Sea security an immediate priority and to strengthen the shared defence of the eastern flank. They call for joint naval and air surveillance, fast sharing of intelligence, shared systems against air and sea drones, and specific protection for ships, ports and energy sites.
Bulgaria must take the lead and play an active part, not be the weak link in allied defence, the authors say. Failing to be ready to respond raises the risk of new provocations and attacks. The more EU and NATO funding the country attracts, and the better prepared it is, the stronger the deterrence and the better the chance of keeping the peace.
The signatories urge that nobody wait for the next ship to sink, for infrastructure to be hit, for a terror attack or for deaths before admitting how great the risk is. "National security cannot be held hostage to political illusions. Peace is the goal. Defence is a duty," the appeal ends.
The document remains open for new signatures from people with experience in foreign policy, defence and security.