site.btaDefence Minister Says Different Responses to Russia's Actions in Bulgarian Black Sea Economic Zone under Discussion

Defence Minister Todor Tagarev Thursday said that in mid-July Russia declared part of the Bulgarian exclusive economic zone unsafe because it will conduct a live fire exercise. As a result, it is dangerous for Bulgarian ships to cross this zone and the normal corridors of commercial traffic in the Black Sea are blocked, Tagarev said in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television.

Tagarev said various responses were under discussion, from a diplomatic response to accelerated acquisition of coastal anti-missile complexes. The primary response will not come from Bulgaria alone but will involve its NATO Allies.

What is happening in the Black Sea largely depends on Turkiye, whose actions prevent a stronger escalation of tensions, the Defence Minister said. Ankara strictly observes the Montreux Convention by limiting the presence of warships, including Russian ones, in the Black Sea.

NATO's engagement is not in the form of ships only, it can be in the form of intelligence information, of aviation which could operate against naval targets, and of coast-based capabilities, which do not fall under the convention, said Tagarev.