There are many mines lurking in the Black Sea – because the Russian military has also planted these explosives on the Ukrainian Black Sea coast since the attack on Ukraine in February 2022. Some of them washed into the waters of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. They endanger civilian ships and cargo ships.
Now Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania want to work together to clear the Black Sea of mines. The three NATO countries signed a corresponding declaration of intent in Istanbul on Thursday, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler announced during the ceremony. To coordinate mine recovery, the countries want to establish a “Naval Group for Mine Countermeasures in the Black Sea,” under rotating command.
The agreement also aims to protect Ukrainian grain exports
The new agreement also aims to secure Ukrainian grain exports along the Romanian and Bulgarian Black Sea coasts. This route is important because Russia in July withdrew from a grain deal that allowed Ukraine to ship grain across the Black Sea. Since withdrawing from the agreement, the Russian military has increasingly attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure and grain warehouses.
According to Ukrainian sources, a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship struck a mine in late December, causing a fire and injuring two sailors. The cargo ship was therefore on its way to a Danube port to load grain there.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
