Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova: No threat to national security at present

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova told Nova TV that the Black Sea faces risks and threats in several areas, but that there is currently no threat to national security. She said intensified diplomatic efforts had allowed Bulgaria and Romania to have the Black Sea issue addressed under a separate heading.

Referring to the Council of Europe's assessment that Russia carried out attacks on four ships in the Black Sea, Yotova said Bulgaria would not hesitate to take necessary diplomatic steps if evidence supporting the claim is presented. These steps include sending a note to Russia and calling the ambassador for consultations.

Yotova said her greatest priority is intensive consultations at all levels to reach a moratorium on military activity in the Black Sea. She added that security problems will not end while conflicts continue but will grow, and that Bulgarian soldiers should not serve in a Ukraine peacekeeping force even after the war ends.