Bulgaria May Be Threatened by Russia's Influence in Balkans - President

Bulgaria is exposed to a risk by Russia's possible move to get a foothold in the Balkans, President Rosen Plevneliev has said.

In an article published by Capital daily, he has described the Balkans as "one of the next possible targets" that may be used as a tool of Europe's permanent destabilization.

Nationalists, oligarchs, corruption, propaganda, energy dependency and the communist-era channels of influence" can help Russia to achieve this, he has argued.

"It is true that the communist services were closed, but their agents and networks continue to exist," he has said.

In his words, Bulgaria has to count on strong institutions and an effective judiciary and public administration to keep its freedom.

"This does not mean having messiahs and strong leaders," Plevneliev notes, failing to elaborate.

The head of state has argued the world is in a state of "Cold Peace", pointing to events such as Brexit and Trump to show it is much more unpredictable than it was during the Cold War.

Plevneliev makes it clear his constant references to Russia and its "hybrid warfare" are not driven by hate, but by his desire that Russia should turn into a strong democratic state and a valuable partner to Bulgaria.

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