Bulgaria, NATO discuss response to Russia's Black Sea blockade

Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said on September 14 that his country is holding talks with NATO allies to see whether it should respond to Russia's continued blockade of part of Bulgaria's Black Sea exclusive economic zone independently or with the help of allies in the military alliance.

Russia has announced that it will close part of Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea to shipping until the end of September due to ongoing military exercises in the area, Tagarev said, adding that the move is considered a "provocation."

“Bulgaria is discussing the response to these provocations – both independently and with our NATO allies,” Tagarev said.

A week ago, the Bulgarian government allocated nearly 20 million euros to purchase missiles and mines for the navy. The country is also interested in urgently purchasing RBS-15 missile complexes for the coast guard from the Swedish company Saab.

When asked whether Bulgaria had developed scenarios in case cargo ships were attacked while traveling from Ukrainian ports through Bulgarian waters or exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, Minister Tagarev replied: “Currently, there is no immediate risk or threat of an attack on a merchant ship moving in the territorial waters of a NATO member state.”

“These waters belong to the sovereignty of each coastal state and are part of its national territory. An attack on our territorial waters can be considered an attack on Bulgaria and NATO as a whole,” the head of the Bulgarian Defense Ministry stressed, mentioning that the navies of Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye have increased their vigilance and continue to carry out their duties with responsibility to ensure the safety of merchant ships passing through the Black Sea.