Radev Warned of the Risk of Nuclear Escalation Due to Russia's War Against Ukraine
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stated that Western attempts to defeat Russia through conventional military means could lead to a dangerous escalation and increase the risk of a nuclear response.
During a conversation with journalists, Radev was asked what message he would like to convey to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin amid nearly daily Russian ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv.
“My message is simple: we, the collective West, are trying to achieve a conventional victory over the world’s largest nuclear power without having sufficient capabilities to counter their hypersonic missiles,” he said.
According to the Bulgarian president, this situation significantly increases the risks of further escalation of the conflict.
“And this dramatically increases the risk of escalation, increases the risk of a nuclear response, and this is very dangerous,” Radev emphasized.
At the same time, he called on the international community to create the conditions for a diplomatic resolution to the war as soon as possible.
“That is why we need to create the conditions for diplomacy and peace as soon as possible and avoid escalation,” the Bulgarian president concluded.
He made these remarks upon his arrival at the NATO summit in Ankara.
Earlier, the presidents of Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia held an informal meeting in the city of Jurata in northern Poland. The main goal of the talks was to coordinate common positions and security priorities ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, where regional leaders plan to present a united front demanding a significant strengthening of the Alliance’s “eastern flank.”
During the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7–8, a number of important decisions are expected regarding support for Ukraine, particularly within the framework of the U.S. PURL initiative to procure weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was forced to answer journalists’ questions about the restrictions imposed on the Turkish media before the start of the Alliance summit in Ankara.
