The decision taken by Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania should not delight Vladimir Putin. Thursday January 11, the three countries, members of the Atlantic Alliance (NATO), announced the creation of a maritime coalition to eliminate floating mines drifting in the Black Sea. An initiative intended to secure maritime transport in the region, notably Ukrainian grain exports along the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts, which Russia has tried to hinder since the launch of its “special military operation” almost two years ago .
“We have jointly decided to sign a protocol between our three countries in order to combat the danger of mines in the Black Sea more effectively, strengthening our existing cooperation and coordination”, explained Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler during the signing of the agreement in Istanbul, in the presence of his Romanian counterpart and the Bulgarian Deputy Defense Minister. Named “MCM Black Sea” (Mine Countermeasures Naval Group in the Black Sea), this task force will be led in turn by one of the three countries, for a period of six months.
Since the start of the conflict, thousands of drift mines – which move with the currents – and rope mines – weighted by a cable to keep them on the surface or between two waters – have been submerged by Russia and the Ukraine in the Black Sea.
With time and storms, many of them shifted, repeatedly striking commercial ships. On December 27, 2023, a Greek cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag, which was heading to a Ukrainian port to load grain, was hit again in the Gulf of Danube, and two of its sailors were injured.
Ukrainian exports more difficult
While it has not interrupted commercial traffic in the Black Sea, this threat makes Ukrainian exports more difficult. Since July 17, 2023 and Moscow’s non-renewal of the agreement which allowed Kiev to take part of its crops out of the country, ships have regularly broken the maritime blockade imposed by Russia to reach the ports of Odessa, from Chornomorsk or Pivdenny.
But they are still too few in number, estimate the Ukrainian authorities: 10 million tonnes of agricultural products were exported between August and December 2023, compared to 33 million tonnes between August 2022 and July 2023. Explode (“fire,” say the military) mines blocking sea lanes would make it possible to increase the number of bulk carriers serving Ukrainian ports, it is hoped in kyiv.
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