Ukraine offers to help Bulgaria clear mines from Black Sea
Photo: Ukrainian Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal (facebook.com zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine has offered Bulgaria to join Ukraine to the initiative to clear mines from the Black Sea to ensure safe navigation, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Shmyhal says that today, August 8, he had a conversation with Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov.
The main topics discussed by the ministers were:
- continuation of defense support for Ukraine,
- security in the Black Sea region.
"We have a common goal - safe navigation. Therefore, I proposed to involve Ukraine in the initiative to clear the Black Sea of mines with the participation of Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Romania," Shmyhal says.
According to him, he also conveyed to his Bulgarian colleague Ukraine's priorities regarding weapons and the defense industry, in which Ukraine can develop partnerships with Bulgaria.
"We are interested in developing joint production, in particular within the framework of the European SAFE fund. Our partners understand that strengthening support for Ukraine will bring about a just peace," the minister explains.
Shmyhal also thanks his colleague for condemning Russian aggression and for contributing to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Black Sea demining
In January 2024, Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye joined forces to create a joint demining group in the Black Sea. This initiative aims to ensure the safety of shipping, especially for grain exports from Ukraine.
On January 11, 2024, the defense ministers of the three countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Istanbul, demonstrating their commitment to cooperation in the field of Black Sea security.
On July 1, 2024, these countries launched a joint operation to search for mines in the Black Sea.
Six mines were destroyed in the first few days of the Black Sea mine clearance operation alone.
At the end of last month, a sea mine washed ashore during a storm on the coast of the Odesa region, after which Ukrainian Navy soldiers carried out a controlled detonation.
