NATO members prepare special operation to clear the Black Sea of mines

NATO members Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are approaching an agreement to create a joint force to clear mines that fall into their part of the Black Sea as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

This was reported by Bloomberg.

The three countries' deputy defense ministers are set to meet in Ankara on November 22 to try to finalize the details of the demining unit, three anonymous sources said. It is unclear whether a final agreement will be signed after the two-day meeting, one of the sources said.

The meeting came days after Turkish Navy Chief Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu expressed opposition to the naval presence in the Black Sea by other NATO allies, including the United States, saying it could further increase tensions in the region.

If agreed, the minesweeping force would not be considered a NATO operation but would be the first major joint action by the Black Sea allies since Vladimir Putin ordered the war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 20/11/2023