EU chief condemns latest attacks on ships off Bulgaria

BRUSSELS: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned the latest attacks on merchant ships off Bulgaria’s coast on Tuesday, calling them “another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine”.

“We stand with Bulgaria and thank its rescuers for their swift response. Those responsible should be held accountable,” she posted on social media.

Bulgaria Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed earlier that two vessels had been struck – one a Ukrainian-owned cargo ship – in the second such attack in a week.

He said there was not yet solid proof of who was behind the attacks, but he would summon Russia’s ambassador as it was clear Moscow stood to gain.

“The Black Sea has become another front of escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine. This is unacceptable,” von der Leyen wrote.

“I strongly condemn the drone attacks on merchant ships near Bulgaria’s coast. Putting the lives of the crew in grave danger and threatening security in the Black Sea.”