Bulgaria Proposes Black Sea Hostilities Moratorium After Drone Attacks
President Iliana Yotova proposes a moratorium on Black Sea hostilities after drone attacks sank one commercial vessel and damaged another in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone.
Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova convened the Consultative Council for National Security following drone attacks on October 6 against two commercial vessels within Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. One vessel flying the Togolese flag sank, while another under the Palau flag caught fire. Eighteen crew members from the second ship were rescued, but the fate of the crew from the first vessel remains unknown.
In response to the attacks, Yotova announced that Bulgaria will propose a moratorium on hostilities in the Black Sea to littoral states. She also indicated that the government will seek enhanced surveillance and anti-drone capabilities from the European Union and NATO. The Consultative Council for National Security adopted a package of security proposals with a three-quarters majority.
While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed the attacks to Russia, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the origin of the drones has not yet been definitively established. Radev pledged to send a diplomatic note to the responsible party once the investigation is complete. The security measures faced opposition from Revival party leader Kostadin Kostadinov, who criticized the government's approach as failing to address the root causes of the conflict.
