Romania has proposed that Bulgaria join it in asking NATO to establish a military command in the Black Sea, while Sofia and Bucharest are also preparing to seek a dedicated discussion of regional security at the upcoming EU summit following a series of drone and maritime incidents. Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță announced the proposal after discussing it by phone with his Bulgarian counterpart.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would adjust its deterrence and defense posture if necessary after discussing Black Sea security and recent attacks on commercial shipping with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Romanian President Nicușor Dan. Rutte described the meeting as good in a post on the social network X, adding that NATO had reinforced its presence along the eastern flank, including by expanding its capabilities to counter drones.

President Iliana Yotova has called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Black Sea and a moratorium on drone attacks against commercial and civilian infrastructure, as two ships were struck in the area, BNT reported. Yotova thanked the rescue teams that worked throughout the night to save sailors from one of the vessels attacked in the Black Sea.

Russian Ambassador Eleonora Mitrofanova told Prime Minister Rumen Radev that Moscow had no information about attacks on ships in the Black Sea, although an investigation would establish whether that account was accurate, Radev said during a hearing in the National Assembly. “I also summoned the Russian ambassador to the Council of Ministers for talks.