Key facts
- Three European Commission officials said von der Leyen is expected to travel to Bulgaria and Romania after the COP summit in Turkey.
- Romania blames Russia for the drone strikes; Bulgaria refers to drones coming from an eastern direction without formally blaming Moscow.
- The origin of the drone found near Shabla and any link to the shipping attacks have not been established, mayor Mariyan Zhechev said.
- NATO allies have stepped up surveillance over the Black Sea following the attacks on commercial shipping.
- Some European commissioners' offices were unaware of the planned trip, and it is unclear who else may accompany von der Leyen.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is slated to visit Bulgaria and Romania after attending the COP climate summit in Turkey, according to three European Commission officials familiar with the plans. Details of the itinerary remain scarce, with some European commissioners' offices unaware of the trip, and it is unclear whether European Council President António Costa or EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas would accompany her.
At least seven commercial vessels were reportedly struck by drones in the Black Sea in October, leaving two sailors dead and at least 25 missing. Romania blames Russia for the attacks; Bulgaria has stopped short of formally blaming Moscow, referring instead to drones coming from an eastern direction. One official, granted anonymity to discuss security-related plans, said of the route: "It's now the deadliest shipping route in the world."
Security concerns reached Bulgaria's shores on November 6, when a local resident found a drone washed up near the coastal town of Shabla. Mayor Mariyan Zhechev said the vehicle appeared to have been carried ashore by the sea; its origin and any connection to the shipping attacks have not been established.
NATO allies have stepped up surveillance over the Black Sea. Italian, British and American reconnaissance aircraft were spotted conducting simultaneous missions over the region on November 3, Bulgarian broadcaster bTV reported, and France has extended the deployment of a maritime patrol aircraft in Romania.
At the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta on October 31, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said India and Turkey had put forward proposals to help grain-carrying vessels navigate the Black Sea safely during the Russia-Ukraine war.