Three NATO countries to increase presence in Black Sea over Russian threat
Photo: Additional patrol groups planned at sea (NATO Maritime Command)
Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said that his country, along with Bulgaria and Turkiye, will expand a joint task force for demining the Black Sea, according to Reuters.
He said the mission is expected to add patrol forces to protect energy facilities and trade routes from potential Russian attacks.
"This project will have to be expanded to a patrol project in coming years. We will discuss it in the near future with our allies," Ionut Mosteanu told Reuters in an interview.
He also added that in the years ahead, the Black Sea will remain a battleground for Russia, so countries must stand up and defend their interests.
"We must discourage (Russia) and protect our interests, which are energy infrastructure, maritime trade and freedom of navigation. These are our objectives and they will be protected."
The Romanian official also recalled "almost daily" attempts to jam GPS signals in the Black Sea, which are likely linked to Russia.
The Black Sea has been an important theater of military operations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including the threat of sea mines to grain and oil shipments that damaged several commercial vessels. In 2024, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey formed a joint demining group.
In addition, Mosteanu told Reuters he hopes the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin will lead to a ceasefire.
"Everyone is waiting for a ceasefire and then for a just, lasting peace to be negotiated, with security guarantees for Ukraine," he said.
Recently, Ukraine proposed that Bulgaria join the Black Sea demining initiative. According to Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, the main goal of demining is to ensure unobstructed navigation.
In the first days of the Black Sea demining operation, six mines were destroyed.
