One unintended consequence of Erdogan’s assertive, Islamist rule is that Bulgaria has started lately to remember how much they owe the Russians. I am sure the Bulgarians are very leery of the mad man and his relativity powerful and numerous army sitting across Bulgarians south east border. Add to this the unpredictable nature of this mad dog, and you know why they started to cosy up to the Russian lately. There no way on earth the Americans or any other NATO country would save them during a potential conflict with Turkey ( in which they would clearly be the underdog); hence, their more recent covert attempted to sooth Russia’s interests in the region. Why this country ( from all of them) has even jointed NATA rabid dogs, is beyond my comprehension power. They owe the filthy Americans nothing, but everything to Russia.