NATO Black Sea Allies Condemn Attacks on Commercial Vessels, Urge Restraint

The Defense Ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey have condemned attacks against commercial vessels in the Black Sea, calling on all parties to refrain from actions that endanger commercial shipping and freedom of navigation. A joint statement issued after their meeting in Sofia on October 28 highlighted growing risks to maritime infrastructure from the Russia-Ukraine war, with over 570 vessels reportedly hit this year, resulting in at least 40 seafarer deaths.