[docbnj]

I don’t know that Bulgaria has ever “trusted” the Russians.

[wetphoenix]

~I don’t know that Bulgaria has ever “trusted” the Russians.~

1970, a Book Fair. There is a stand full of books about elephants from different countries.
US: a pocketbook “Elephants for Dummies”
Germany: “A complete guide to an elephant biology. A basic shortened 54 vol edition for secondary school students”
Soviets: “Russia is a motherland of all elephants”, “Soviet elephant. The most progressive elephant ever.”
Bulgaria: “Bulgarian elephant - a loyal little sister of a mighty progressive Soviet elephant”.

I bet they would loyally change a word “Soviet” for “American” on their elephant book these days.
It is what you call a reliable ally:))