European Leaders Condemn Drone Attacks on Bulgarian Ships in Black Sea

European leaders have condemned recent drone attacks on two commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, expressing solidarity with Bulgaria and highlighting concerns over civilian shipping and global food security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the situation as increasingly alarming, noting that the incidents followed an attack on a Turkish vessel carrying Ukrainian grain off Romania. One of the targeted ships sank, with its crew still missing, while the other was damaged, and its 18 sailors were rescued. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that the attacks occurred in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone rather than its territorial waters, but emphasized the broader trend of the war expanding geographically.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson all expressed full solidarity with Bulgaria. Prévot linked the attacks to Ukraine’s grain exports, warning that disruptions in the Black Sea could impact global food security. Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson confirmed that he had spoken with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev about the serious attack. The attacks on the vessels came a day after a fire aboard a Turkish cargo ship off the Romanian coast killed two crew members, with Romanian authorities suspecting a drone strike.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia reported new civilian casualties over the previous 24 hours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped negotiations aimed at ending the war would resume soon, despite an intensification of Russian attacks. He reported that Russian forces had attacked hospitals and port infrastructure in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier stated that negotiations could take place only under conditions acceptable to Moscow. Estonia is moving troops closer to the Russian border, while Lithuania’s decision to remove its constitutional prohibition on stationing nuclear weapons on its territory has prompted warnings from the Kremlin about potential escalation.