MOSCOW, January 15 (Sputnik) — Bulgaria is witnessing an "Atlantic 'invasion'" with a number of Western leaders visiting Sofia to secure its support in the geopolitical struggle with Russia, a member of Bulgaria's parliament told Sputnik Thursday.
UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond visited Sofia on Wednesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry came to the capital city on Thursday, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is expected to arrive later in January.
Tasheva also noted that there are four military bases in Bulgaria that are, on paper, jointly operated by the US and Bulgaria but in practice could be considered as solely American.
"There are fears that they [the bases] will be used not only directly for military conflicts, but also for various provocations, and Bulgaria will become the second Ukraine," Tasheva added.
During his visit to Sofia, John Kerry promised to partner with Bulgaria to help it address new security concerns and diversify energy supplies, as part of a broader strategic plan to be launched this year.
The countries had "agreed to work to enhance regional security – including through joint exercises, implementation of NATO's Readiness Action Plan, actions to bolster stability and security," Kerry said at a news conference with Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov.
Relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated amid the Ukrainian crisis. Western countries accuse Moscow of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs and sending troops there. However, Russia has repeatedly stated it is not involved in what it holds to be an internal Ukrainian conflict.
