ΟΙ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΟΙ ΜΕΤΑΦΕΡΟΥΝ ΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΓΕΙΤΟΝΙΚΗ ΧΩΡΑ "Βαριά σύννεφα" και στην Βουλγαρία: "Η κυβέρνηση ανατράπηκε γιατί δεν έδωσε βάσεις στις ΗΠΑ για να κτυπήσουν στην Ουκρανίa
''.....Και η προηγούμενη κυβέρνηση του Πλάμεν Ορεσάρσκι ανατράπηκε, όταν οι Βούλγαροι αρνήθηκαν να εφαρμόσουν τις αμερικανικές προτάσεις που εκφράσθηκαν από τον γερουσιαστή Μακέιν κατά την επίσκεψή του στη Βουλγαρία". Ποια ήταν τα "προαπαιτούμενα" των ΗΠΑ:
-Να έχουν οι Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες το δικαίωμα να χρησιμοποιούν όλα τα στρατιωτικά αεροδρόμια για τις Ενοπλες Δυνάμεις τους, με τις ανάλογες υλικοτεχνικές και άλλες δραστηριότητες που σχετίζονται με την κατάσταση στην Ουκρανία και να παράσχουν στρατιωτική υποστήριξη σε εχθροπραξίες στην Ουκρανία προς την πλευρά των φιλοκυβερνητικών δυνάμεων και
-Να προωθήσουν την καλλιέρχεια, να επεξεργαστούν και να πωλούν γενετικά τροποποιημένα αγροτικά προϊόντα....''
Η Βουλγαρία θα είναι ο επόμενος κρίκος στην αλυσίδα ανάφλεξης της ανατολικής Ευρώπης; Ολα δείχνουν ότι το βουλγαρικό "ηφαίστειο" είναι έτοιμο να εκραγεί, καθώς η σύγκρουση ΗΠΑ και κατά δεύτερο λόγο της ΕΕ με την Ρωσική Ομοσπονδίας αρχίζει και κλιμακώνεται.
Σήμερα για πρώτη φορά από τότε που η Βουλγαρία μπήκε στο ΝΑΤΟ το ισχυρό
βουλγαρικό εθνικιστικό κόμμα "Ατάκα" έθεσε θέμα για την άσκηση "Θρακικός
Αετός 2014" και την άφιξη 12 μαχητικών της USAFE σε βουλγαρικές
αεροπορικές βάσεις και υποστήριξε ότι η κυβέρνηση του Πλάμεν Ορεσάρσκι
ανατράπηκε, όταν οι Βούλγαροι αρνήθηκαν να εφαρμόσουν τις αμερικανικές
απαιτήσεις για ανάπτυξη των δυνάμεων τους που εκφράσθηκαν από τον
γερουσιαστή Μακέιν κατά την επίσκεψή του στη Βουλγαρία!
Η καταγγελία είναι σίγουρα "βαριά" και σίφουρα δεν είναι άσχετη με την περιρέσουσα κατάσταση.
Η Βουλγαρία είναι ο "αδύναμος κρίκος" της ΕΕ, ο λαός της έχει σλαβική-φιννική καταγωγή και σήμερα είναι το μοναδικό κράτος του πρώην Συμφώνου της Βαρσοβίας, που βρίσκεται σε χειρότερη κατάσταση από το 1990 όταν τελείωσε ο "ψυχρός πόλεμος".
Σήμερα ο αρχηγός του εθνικιστικού κόμματος "Ατάκα", Βόλεν Σιντέροφ, δήλωσε ότι "Η απόφαση της βουλγαρικής κυβέρνησης (σ.σ.: υπηρεσιακή) του Γκεόργκι Μπλιζνάσκι να επιτρέψει την ανάπτυξη αμερικανικών μαχητικών αεροσκαφών είναι επικίνδυνη για τους Βουλγάρους".
«Η βουλγαρική κυβέρνηση επέτρεψε την παρουσία δώδεκα αμερικανικών μαχητικών F-15 και 250 στρατιωτικών σε στρατόπεδα της Βουλγαρίας. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις που λαμβάνουν στη Βουλγαρία όπως η επέκταση του διαδρόμου απο/προσγείωσης στην αεροπορική βάση Μπέζμερ, κοντά στο Σίλβεν, γίνεται σαφές ότι από τη Βουλγαρία πρόκειται να κάνουν μια βάση σε έναν πόλεμο που σχετίζεται με την Ουκρανία.
Ο υπηρεσιακός πρωθυπουργός Γκεόργκι Μπλιζνάσκι πήρε την απόφαση αυτή μετά από πίεση από την αμερικανική πρεσβεία στη Σόφια. Και αυτό είναι ακόμη ένα βήμα μιας σειράς από στοχευμένες δράσεις των ΗΠΑ σε συνεργασία με τα τοπικά ενεργούμενά τους για τη συμμετοχή της Βουλγαρίας σε πόλεμο», δήλωσε ο Βόλεν Σιντέροφ.
Η καταγγελία είναι σίγουρα "βαριά" και σίφουρα δεν είναι άσχετη με την περιρέσουσα κατάσταση.
Η Βουλγαρία είναι ο "αδύναμος κρίκος" της ΕΕ, ο λαός της έχει σλαβική-φιννική καταγωγή και σήμερα είναι το μοναδικό κράτος του πρώην Συμφώνου της Βαρσοβίας, που βρίσκεται σε χειρότερη κατάσταση από το 1990 όταν τελείωσε ο "ψυχρός πόλεμος".
Σήμερα ο αρχηγός του εθνικιστικού κόμματος "Ατάκα", Βόλεν Σιντέροφ, δήλωσε ότι "Η απόφαση της βουλγαρικής κυβέρνησης (σ.σ.: υπηρεσιακή) του Γκεόργκι Μπλιζνάσκι να επιτρέψει την ανάπτυξη αμερικανικών μαχητικών αεροσκαφών είναι επικίνδυνη για τους Βουλγάρους".
«Η βουλγαρική κυβέρνηση επέτρεψε την παρουσία δώδεκα αμερικανικών μαχητικών F-15 και 250 στρατιωτικών σε στρατόπεδα της Βουλγαρίας. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις που λαμβάνουν στη Βουλγαρία όπως η επέκταση του διαδρόμου απο/προσγείωσης στην αεροπορική βάση Μπέζμερ, κοντά στο Σίλβεν, γίνεται σαφές ότι από τη Βουλγαρία πρόκειται να κάνουν μια βάση σε έναν πόλεμο που σχετίζεται με την Ουκρανία.
Ο υπηρεσιακός πρωθυπουργός Γκεόργκι Μπλιζνάσκι πήρε την απόφαση αυτή μετά από πίεση από την αμερικανική πρεσβεία στη Σόφια. Και αυτό είναι ακόμη ένα βήμα μιας σειράς από στοχευμένες δράσεις των ΗΠΑ σε συνεργασία με τα τοπικά ενεργούμενά τους για τη συμμετοχή της Βουλγαρίας σε πόλεμο», δήλωσε ο Βόλεν Σιντέροφ.
Ο ηγέτης του «Ατάκα» υπενθύμισε ότι "Από το 2006, οι Αμερικανοί
στρατιωτικοί χρησιμοποιούν χωρίς κανένα αντάλλαγμα των στρατιωτικών
βάσεων στη Βουλγαρία για τις δικές τους ανάγκες και δεν επιτρέπουν σε
κανέναν να μάθει τι εξοπλισμό έχουν στις βουλγαρικές βάσεις. Και η
προηγούμενη κυβέρνηση του Πλάμεν Ορεσάρσκι ανατράπηκε, όταν οι Βούλγαροι
αρνήθηκαν να εφαρμόσουν τις αμερικανικές προτάσεις που εκφράσθηκαν από
τον γερουσιαστή Μακέιν κατά την επίσκεψή του στη Βουλγαρία".
Ποια ήταν τα "προαπαιτούμενα" των ΗΠΑ:
-Να έχουν οι Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες το δικαίωμα να χρησιμοποιούν όλα τα στρατιωτικά αεροδρόμια για τις Ενοπλες Δυνάμεις τους, με τις ανάλογες υλικοτεχνικές και άλλες δραστηριότητες που σχετίζονται με την κατάσταση στην Ουκρανία και να παράσχουν στρατιωτική υποστήριξη σε εχθροπραξίες στην Ουκρανία προς την πλευρά των φιλοκυβερνητικών δυνάμεων και
-Να προωθήσουν την καλλιέρχεια, να επεξεργαστούν και να πωλούν γενετικά τροποποιημένα αγροτικά προϊόντα.
Και ο Βόλεν Σιντέροφ κατέληξε: "Οι Βούλγαροι πρέπει να ξυπνήσουν και να συνειδητοποιήσουν που οδηγούν τη χώρα αυτές οι αποφάσεις που λαμβάνονται από την υπηρεσιακή κυβέρνηση. Οι λύσεις αυτές είναι επικίνδυνες για τους Βουλγάρους και θα φέρουν τη χώρα σε πόλεμο".
-Να έχουν οι Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες το δικαίωμα να χρησιμοποιούν όλα τα στρατιωτικά αεροδρόμια για τις Ενοπλες Δυνάμεις τους, με τις ανάλογες υλικοτεχνικές και άλλες δραστηριότητες που σχετίζονται με την κατάσταση στην Ουκρανία και να παράσχουν στρατιωτική υποστήριξη σε εχθροπραξίες στην Ουκρανία προς την πλευρά των φιλοκυβερνητικών δυνάμεων και
-Να προωθήσουν την καλλιέρχεια, να επεξεργαστούν και να πωλούν γενετικά τροποποιημένα αγροτικά προϊόντα.
Και ο Βόλεν Σιντέροφ κατέληξε: "Οι Βούλγαροι πρέπει να ξυπνήσουν και να συνειδητοποιήσουν που οδηγούν τη χώρα αυτές οι αποφάσεις που λαμβάνονται από την υπηρεσιακή κυβέρνηση. Οι λύσεις αυτές είναι επικίνδυνες για τους Βουλγάρους και θα φέρουν τη χώρα σε πόλεμο".
Posted 8/19/2014 Updated 8/19/2014
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| Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa pose alongside members of the Bulgarian Air Force after an opening ceremony at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, August 15, 2014. Pilots, maintainers and a mixture of other professions from RAF Lakenheath, including Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany will enhance interoperability with Bulgaria and maintain joint readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Hailey Haux) | ||
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Posted 8/19/2014 Updated 8/19/2014
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USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs
8/19/2014 - PLOVDIV, Bulgaria -- More than 180 Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and 12 F-15C Eagles flew to Graf Ignatievo Air Base, near Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to participate in a bilateral training event, Thracian Eagle 2014, Aug. 18-Sep. 1.
Pilots from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, maintainers and a mixture of other professions, including Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are in Bulgaria to improve joint readiness and reassure regional allies and partners.
"We are here to demonstrate our commitment and resolve to our NATO partners," said Lt. Col. John Stratton, 493rd FS commander. "Conducting these bilateral training events helps us strengthen our relationships and improve capabilities."
The number one expectation is to conduct bilateral flying operations like professional aviators and gain a better understanding of each other's capabilities and limitations, continued Stratton.
"We are going to fly and work together to exchange experience and improve interoperability between our two countries," said Bulgarian Brig. Gen. Ivan Lalov, Graf Ignatievo Air Base commander during an opening ceremony. "As the commander, it is my pleasure to welcome you. I wish all of you successful training and safe flights. Let our exercise begin!"
Buildup In Eastern Europe: U.S. Warplanes, Troops Deployed To Bulgaria
August 18, 2014
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Stars and Stripes
August 18, 2014
F-15s, troops from 493rd deploy to Bulgaria
By Jon Harper
WASHINGTON: Troops and fighter aircraft from the 493rd Fighter Squadron have been sent to Bulgaria as tensions in Eastern Europe continue to run high.
A dozen F-15s and approximately 180 personnel from the 493rd, based at RAF Lakenheath, England, have deployed to Graf Ignatievo Air Base to participate in a two-week bilateral training exercise with the Bulgarian air force, Pentagon spokesmen Col. Steve Warren told reporters Monday.
The exercise began Monday and will continue through Sept. 1.
The purpose of the deployment is to “conduct training and focus on maintain joint readiness while building interoperability,” Warren said.
The move comes at a time when America’s Eastern European partners and allies are concerned about Russian military intervention in Ukraine…
“This is a reflection of our steadfast commitment to enhancing regional security,” Warren said about the exercise.
Last week the Pentagon announced that approximately 600 soldiers from the Army’s 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Poland and the Baltic states in October for a three-month series of land warfare training exercises.
The First Cavalry will bring M-1 Abrams tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carrier for the exercises, according to the Defense Department
1 of 2. Bulgarian honour guard soldiers attend a flag-raising ceremony as part of celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Bulgaria joining NATO, in front of the Presidency in Sofia April 4, 2014.
(Reuters) - Georgi Kadiev is, like many of his fellow Bulgarians, caught between Russia and the West.
A member of parliament with the ruling Socialist party, his government has gone along with sanctions on Moscow over its annexation of Crimea, but at the same time he feels the cultural and historical pull of Bulgaria's long association with Russia.
"My father was an officer in the Soviet army," he said. "He spent his life shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet army. It's very hard to explain to him now that we should impose sanctions on Russia."
Bulgaria has long been an anomaly in Europe, a country inside the European Union and the NATO military alliance, yet which feels close to Russia. That tension has been thrown into even sharper relief by the stand-off over Ukraine, with many feeling under pressure to choose between Moscow and Brussels.
Bulgaria is now facing its sternest test of loyalty to the European Union since joining in 2007 and has not wavered, even though it risks economic hardship and a domestic backlash could topple Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski's fragile coalition.
The danger for the government is that the nationalist Attack party - on whose support the Socialists rely to stay in power - could carry out a threat to withdraw their unofficial support if Sofia backs more EU sanctions against the Kremlin.
Bulgaria is highly vulnerable to the political fallout of the Crimea crisis compared to other countries formerly behind the Iron Curtain such as pro-Western Poland, or fellow 2007 EU entrant Romania, which had already begun to drift from Moscow in Communist times and is less hooked on Russian energy supplies.
Many former Communist countries in the EU kept ties to Moscow but most view Russia as a former occupier and still a threat. Bulgaria is different because it sees Moscow as a friend. When its economic and cultural ties are taken together, it is probably the EU state closest to Moscow.
But Sofia has gone along with initial EU sanctions against Moscow and its foreign minister said in an interview that it would not veto more punitive measures if they were imposed.
"We are not going to impose a veto, in the same time we are not going to push for such sanctions," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin told Reuters.
"The risks for us are high. We are one of the most vulnerable countries. We have made that clear and our partners know that very well. Of course the biggest risk is the delivery of energy resources, especially gas," he added.
RUSSIA'S 'TROJAN HORSE'
Bulgaria was seen as Russia's most pliable ally in Soviet times and to this day its leaders have to fend off accusations that the country is a "Trojan horse" inside the EU, secretly working in the interests of the Kremlin.
Its Cold War alliance left a deep economic footprint on the Balkan state, especially as it is almost entirely dependent on Russian energy supplies. More than 85 percent of gas is bought from Gazprom, its only oil refinery is controlled by LUKOIL and its only nuclear plant runs on Russian fuel.
Despite joining NATO ten years ago, and taking part in U.S.-led war games since the Crimea crisis erupted, Bulgaria's armed forces are similarly dependent on Russia for repairs and spare parts for their Soviet-made jet fighters and tanks.
Russia is Bulgaria's second biggest trade partner and imposing tough economic sanctions on Moscow would hit about 2,000 Bulgarian companies, employing about 80,000 people, who depend on business with Russia, the foreign minister said.
Russian holidaymakers are the lifeblood of Bulgaria's tourism industry, which contributes about 13 percent of the country's gross domestic product, prompting fears about what would happen if the EU restricted Russians' entry into the bloc.
About 700,000 Russians - a figure equivalent to a tenth of Bulgaria's population - visited the Black Sea state last year. They traveled to resorts such as the coastal town of Pomorie, so full of Russian sunseekers and homeowners that one of its districts is called "Little Moscow".
Worries about the economic damage a prolonged standoff with Russia could cause, coupled with nostalgia for communism among the older generation and a growing disillusionment with the EU, have prompted calls by some for closer ties with Moscow.
"Bulgaria should veto any, I repeat, any sanctions on Russia," said Emil Vangelov, a retired teacher in Sofia. "On the contrary, we should expand our economic, political and cultural relations with Moscow. Can't you see that Bulgaria is disappearing after all the lies from the U.S. and EU?"
SNAP ELECTIONS?
The decorations in the office of Attack party leader Volen Siderov leader offer clues as to why the country's fragile coalition government, which has only just emerged from one political crisis, could soon be heading for another.
Antique swords and pistols hang on the wall, some of them relics of Russia's battles with Turkey in the 19th century, which liberated Bulgaria from 500 years of Ottoman rule. Propped up on the floor lies a painting of the medieval school of Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, whose teachings influenced the Russian Orthodox church.
Bulgaria's ties with Russia, with whom it shares a similar language and the Cyrillic alphabet, are stamped on the cityscape of its capital. Sofia's most prominent monument is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - built in thanks to the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria's freedom.
Siderov has played on such historical associations to whip up pro-Russian feelings among voters ahead of European elections in May, a vote that is seen as a key test of the Bulgarian government's long term survival.
The Socialists could lose the votes of supporters angered by the government's going along with sanctions. A direct descendent of the Communist regime in power before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the party has a strong pro-Russia wing and much of its older, rural vote base leans more towards Moscow than the West.
The ruling party has been beset by internal squabbles and, even before events in Ukraine began, faced the prospect of losing votes in May to a leftist splinter group led by a former president, and another movement led by a former TV anchor.
As things stand, the right-wing GERB party will likely come out on top in the EU polls, a scenario that could spark a snap general election in the autumn.
Street protests felled one government in Bulgaria last year and almost toppled the current administration, which has survived three confidence votes since taking office. Another bout of instability could further hamper much-needed social and economic reforms in the EU's poorest member.
(Additional reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Giles Elgood)
August 18, 2014
F-15s, troops from 493rd deploy to Bulgaria
By Jon Harper
WASHINGTON: Troops and fighter aircraft from the 493rd Fighter Squadron have been sent to Bulgaria as tensions in Eastern Europe continue to run high.
A dozen F-15s and approximately 180 personnel from the 493rd, based at RAF Lakenheath, England, have deployed to Graf Ignatievo Air Base to participate in a two-week bilateral training exercise with the Bulgarian air force, Pentagon spokesmen Col. Steve Warren told reporters Monday.
The exercise began Monday and will continue through Sept. 1.
The purpose of the deployment is to “conduct training and focus on maintain joint readiness while building interoperability,” Warren said.
The move comes at a time when America’s Eastern European partners and allies are concerned about Russian military intervention in Ukraine…
“This is a reflection of our steadfast commitment to enhancing regional security,” Warren said about the exercise.
Last week the Pentagon announced that approximately 600 soldiers from the Army’s 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Poland and the Baltic states in October for a three-month series of land warfare training exercises.
The First Cavalry will bring M-1 Abrams tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carrier for the exercises, according to the Defense Department
Bulgaria torn between old friends and new partners over Crimea
SOFIA
1 of 2. Bulgarian honour guard soldiers attend a flag-raising ceremony as part of celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Bulgaria joining NATO, in front of the Presidency in Sofia April 4, 2014.
Credit: Reuters/Pierre Marsaut
A member of parliament with the ruling Socialist party, his government has gone along with sanctions on Moscow over its annexation of Crimea, but at the same time he feels the cultural and historical pull of Bulgaria's long association with Russia.
"My father was an officer in the Soviet army," he said. "He spent his life shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet army. It's very hard to explain to him now that we should impose sanctions on Russia."
Bulgaria has long been an anomaly in Europe, a country inside the European Union and the NATO military alliance, yet which feels close to Russia. That tension has been thrown into even sharper relief by the stand-off over Ukraine, with many feeling under pressure to choose between Moscow and Brussels.
Bulgaria is now facing its sternest test of loyalty to the European Union since joining in 2007 and has not wavered, even though it risks economic hardship and a domestic backlash could topple Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski's fragile coalition.
The danger for the government is that the nationalist Attack party - on whose support the Socialists rely to stay in power - could carry out a threat to withdraw their unofficial support if Sofia backs more EU sanctions against the Kremlin.
Bulgaria is highly vulnerable to the political fallout of the Crimea crisis compared to other countries formerly behind the Iron Curtain such as pro-Western Poland, or fellow 2007 EU entrant Romania, which had already begun to drift from Moscow in Communist times and is less hooked on Russian energy supplies.
Many former Communist countries in the EU kept ties to Moscow but most view Russia as a former occupier and still a threat. Bulgaria is different because it sees Moscow as a friend. When its economic and cultural ties are taken together, it is probably the EU state closest to Moscow.
But Sofia has gone along with initial EU sanctions against Moscow and its foreign minister said in an interview that it would not veto more punitive measures if they were imposed.
"We are not going to impose a veto, in the same time we are not going to push for such sanctions," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin told Reuters.
"The risks for us are high. We are one of the most vulnerable countries. We have made that clear and our partners know that very well. Of course the biggest risk is the delivery of energy resources, especially gas," he added.
RUSSIA'S 'TROJAN HORSE'
Bulgaria was seen as Russia's most pliable ally in Soviet times and to this day its leaders have to fend off accusations that the country is a "Trojan horse" inside the EU, secretly working in the interests of the Kremlin.
Its Cold War alliance left a deep economic footprint on the Balkan state, especially as it is almost entirely dependent on Russian energy supplies. More than 85 percent of gas is bought from Gazprom, its only oil refinery is controlled by LUKOIL and its only nuclear plant runs on Russian fuel.
Despite joining NATO ten years ago, and taking part in U.S.-led war games since the Crimea crisis erupted, Bulgaria's armed forces are similarly dependent on Russia for repairs and spare parts for their Soviet-made jet fighters and tanks.
Russia is Bulgaria's second biggest trade partner and imposing tough economic sanctions on Moscow would hit about 2,000 Bulgarian companies, employing about 80,000 people, who depend on business with Russia, the foreign minister said.
Russian holidaymakers are the lifeblood of Bulgaria's tourism industry, which contributes about 13 percent of the country's gross domestic product, prompting fears about what would happen if the EU restricted Russians' entry into the bloc.
About 700,000 Russians - a figure equivalent to a tenth of Bulgaria's population - visited the Black Sea state last year. They traveled to resorts such as the coastal town of Pomorie, so full of Russian sunseekers and homeowners that one of its districts is called "Little Moscow".
Worries about the economic damage a prolonged standoff with Russia could cause, coupled with nostalgia for communism among the older generation and a growing disillusionment with the EU, have prompted calls by some for closer ties with Moscow.
"Bulgaria should veto any, I repeat, any sanctions on Russia," said Emil Vangelov, a retired teacher in Sofia. "On the contrary, we should expand our economic, political and cultural relations with Moscow. Can't you see that Bulgaria is disappearing after all the lies from the U.S. and EU?"
SNAP ELECTIONS?
The decorations in the office of Attack party leader Volen Siderov leader offer clues as to why the country's fragile coalition government, which has only just emerged from one political crisis, could soon be heading for another.
Antique swords and pistols hang on the wall, some of them relics of Russia's battles with Turkey in the 19th century, which liberated Bulgaria from 500 years of Ottoman rule. Propped up on the floor lies a painting of the medieval school of Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, whose teachings influenced the Russian Orthodox church.
Bulgaria's ties with Russia, with whom it shares a similar language and the Cyrillic alphabet, are stamped on the cityscape of its capital. Sofia's most prominent monument is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - built in thanks to the tens of thousands of Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgaria's freedom.
Siderov has played on such historical associations to whip up pro-Russian feelings among voters ahead of European elections in May, a vote that is seen as a key test of the Bulgarian government's long term survival.
The Socialists could lose the votes of supporters angered by the government's going along with sanctions. A direct descendent of the Communist regime in power before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the party has a strong pro-Russia wing and much of its older, rural vote base leans more towards Moscow than the West.
The ruling party has been beset by internal squabbles and, even before events in Ukraine began, faced the prospect of losing votes in May to a leftist splinter group led by a former president, and another movement led by a former TV anchor.
As things stand, the right-wing GERB party will likely come out on top in the EU polls, a scenario that could spark a snap general election in the autumn.
Street protests felled one government in Bulgaria last year and almost toppled the current administration, which has survived three confidence votes since taking office. Another bout of instability could further hamper much-needed social and economic reforms in the EU's poorest member.
(Additional reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Giles Elgood)