During this period, Rusev carried out the rearmament of the Bulgarian Armed Forces with modern military equipment and techniques.

He concluded the contracts with the individual German arms manufacturers and personally carried out the quality control of the supplies, which is why, until the beginning of the Second World War, often is in Germany.

As a highly respected officer with an impeccable name, in the autumn of 1943, Lieutenant General Rusev assumed the post of Minister of War of Bulgaria in the cabinet of Dobri Bozhilov and subsequently in that of Ivan Bagrianov.

[2][3] After the entry of the Red Army into Bulgaria, he was arrested, tried by the so-called People's Court.

He was sentenced to death, fined 5 million Bulgarian lev and confiscation of property.