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Bulgaria is working with Türkiye and Romania on an initiative to counter attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said in Berlin, as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for a ceasefire covering civilian shipping.
"Bulgaria, together with Türkiye and Romania, is working on an initiative regarding attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea," Petrova-Chamova told a joint news conference with Wadephul.
"This is actually an initiative in which we should involve all our European partners. We all bear a common responsibility. We will continue to insist until this is implemented," she added.
Drone attacks have sunk two ships off Bulgaria’s coast in a week, with 11 sailors missing after the latest sinking, pushing the Black Sea's three NATO coastal states to coordinate as the Russia-Ukraine war spills into commercial shipping lanes.
Petrova-Chamova highlighted steps toward a joint maritime security center involving Türkiye, Romania and Bulgaria.
"The security of the Black Sea means security for all of Europe. Joint European measures are needed to end attacks on commercial ships," she said, adding, "The protection of civilian crews and freedom of navigation must be a priority for all of Europe."
She said the recent escalation in the Black Sea "continues to endanger the stability of the region, freedom of navigation and critical maritime infrastructure."
"We stand by Bulgaria when it comes to clarifying these incidents, discussing next steps within the EU and NATO and ensuring our common security," Wadephul said.
"Bulgaria’s summoning of the Russian ambassador is exactly the right signal, because one thing is clear: We cannot stand by as Russia’s aggression escalates. Russia threatens Europe’s overall security. Here we are literally in the same boat. We are all targets," he added.
“If Russia continues these attacks in the Black Sea, people will pay the price. People living especially in Africa are affected and suffering. These people face hunger,” he said.
"So once again I make a clear call: A ceasefire is needed in the Black Sea for civilian shipments, especially grain shipments,” Wadephul said, adding, "Many coastal states are ready to talk with Russia and Ukraine on this, and now it is Russia’s turn to show whether it is willing to balance its relations and interests with its neighbors in a way that saves human lives."
"Only firmness creates readiness for negotiation; only firmness opens the way to a just and lasting peace. That is why on Monday the European Union adopted its largest sanctions package against Russia to date. This is an important signal and Russia will feel it," Wadephul said.
Asked about reports that SpaceX had throttled Starlink for Ukraine’s military and that Kyiv lacked early warnings of Russian strikes, he said: "I cannot verify all this information at the moment, but I am sure the U.S. will continue its support for Ukraine. I do not see a significant decrease in U.S. support for Ukraine."
Bulgaria expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by the end of October, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Wednesday. "Bulgaria will be part of this project as soon as possible. Expectations are that by Oct. 30, we will already be part of the project," he told a parliamentary hearing, according to local media.
The Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ship HS Dignity sank after Tuesday's drone attack, leaving 11 sailors missing.
The search resumed Wednesday after bad weather halted it.
Russia’s ambassador to Sofia, Eleonora Mitrofanova, said she had no information from the Russian Defense Ministry about attacks on commercial vessels and did not rule out a provocation by a third party, Bulgaria's government said, as pressure builds for a coordinated Black Sea response.
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