Against the backdrop of NATO's increased demands on capabilities, including those of national defence forces, Bulgaria recognises that the level of defence spending of 2% of GDP is insufficient. This is stated in the 2022 State of Defence Report. 

To the problems of the army in terms of inadequate funding, worn-out equipment, lack of spare parts and irregular repairs is added the lack of supply of specific spare parts and consumables due to sanctions against Russia.

The document, published by the government, also notes that the suspension of Russian gas supplies to Bulgaria after the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022 was a hybrid threat, BNR reporter Dobromir Videv reports. This unilateral action was intended to "influence sovereign national strategic decision-making."