In response to maritime safety concerns in the Black Sea amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, three NATO allies have established a Mine Countermeasures Task Group to tackle the drifting sea mines.
From: Euromaiden Press BY IRYNA VOICHUK
On 11 January, Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania signed an agreement to establish a Mine Countermeasures Task Group among the three NATO allies, aimed at jointly clearing mines that have drifted into their waters due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the Associated Press reported.
With Russia’s attacks getting closer to NATO borders, the alliance seeks to respond without escalating tensions. Debris and mines from the war increasingly threaten the only NATO countries with direct Black Sea access.
Türkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler elaborated on the agreement’s purpose at a press conference in Istanbul, stating, “We jointly decided to sign a protocol between three countries in order to fight more effectively against the mine danger in the Black Sea by improving our existing close cooperation and coordination.”
Voice of Ukraine 