The US administration has made Bulgaria “an offer that cannot be refused” in an attempt to buy airplanes that not only do not suit it at a price, but are not needed in principle.
At the same time, the US ambassador to Bulgaria, Eric Rubin, who initially called the price called “quite reasonable” by Washington, was soon forced to reconsider his rhetoric. “The United States understands that the price is high, but we are ready to support Bulgaria,” the diplomat assured.
According to him, modern American fighters simply need Bulgaria for the sake of NATO security, and in order that the deal should not be frustrated due to the banal lack of money in the Bulgarian budget, Washington is even ready to provide Sofia with money for this acquisition. But this is not about gratuitous financial assistance. The money will be given to Bulgaria on credit, which makes the Balkan country not only a buyer, but also a debtor.
“I believe in the future of relations between Bulgaria and the United States,” the American diplomat stressed, noting also that the United States supports the diversification of gas supplies, which should “ensure the independence” of Bulgaria and will be “an important factor in national security.”