Representatives of the Defense Ministries of Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria to discuss protection of grain corridor vessels from Russian mines

Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are close to an agreement to establish a joint force to clear Russian mines in the Black Sea.

Source. Bloomberg reports.

The new unit is an initiative of the three Black Sea NATO countries. In fact, they will help protect the export corridor built by Ukraine after russia withdrew from the grain deal in July.

The three countries' deputy defense ministers are to meet in Ankara on Wednesday to finalize details, three people familiar with the situation told Bloomberg.

Although the minesweepers would not be considered a NATO operation if an agreement is reached, the new unit would be the first joint action by the allies in the Black Sea since the start of the war in Ukraine.

More than 100 ships have already moved metallurgical and agricultural products from Ukrainian ports since the new grain corridor reopened in September. The cargo ships are now heading along the coasts of Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, which also serve as the three NATO countries' own trade routes.

russia may use sea mines to prevent civilian vessels from passing through the ukrainian "humanitarian corridor," the British Foreign Office warned in early october, citing intelligence:

"russia almost certainly wants to avoid open attacks on civilian vessels with the intention of sinking them and instead intends to falsely accuse Ukraine of any attacks on such vessels in the Black Sea," the statement said.

Background. As reported, according to the USPA, 115 ships have left Ukrainian ports since the start of the temporary sea corridor, and 148 bulk carriers have called at the ports of Odesa in the three months of the corridor's operation.