Romanian Defense Minister called on NATO allies – Turkey and Bulgaria – to expand the joint Black Sea demining mission to include patrols protecting energy infrastructure and trade routes from potential Russian attacks, reported Hurriyet.

The three countries, which share the Black Sea with Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia, established the demining mission last year. “This project will need to be expanded into a patrol mission in the coming years. We will discuss this soon with our allies,” Ionuț Moșteanu told Reuters.

“The Black Sea will continue to be a battlefield for Russia. We must deter it and protect our interests – energy infrastructure, maritime trade, and freedom of navigation. These are our goals, and they will be defended,” the minister added.

Romania, which has a 650-kilometer land border with Ukraine, has repeatedly found parts of Russian drones on its territory. At sea, Moșteanu reports “almost daily” attempts to jam GPS signals, which he suspects are Russian, although Moscow denies involvement.

The country is preparing to become the largest gas producer and net exporter in the EU after the completion of a major offshore project in the Black Sea in 2027. Romania has already purchased a small military ship from Turkey, and acquiring additional vessels, including corvettes, could take years.

In addition to its significant role in the Black Sea, Turkey also acts as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, organizing peace talks in the early stages of the conflict and later new meetings in Istanbul on May 16, June 2, and July 23, when an agreement on a prisoner exchange was reached. | BGNES