Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria are planning to enhance security measures in the Black Sea following a series of attacks on oil tankers engaged in trade with Russia. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described these incidents as "very scary," stating they threaten regional safety and demonstrate the expanding reach of the Ukraine war.

Details of the Attacks and Violations

The attacks targeted the tankers Kairos and Virat within an hour of each other on November 28, with Ukraine claiming responsibility. Minister Fidan emphasized that these strikes occurred within Turkey's exclusive economic zone, violating navigational safety and negatively impacting trade in the region.

Regional Response and Economic Impact

In response, the three coastal nations are set to increase security cooperation. The attacks, along with another incident off Africa, have led to higher shipping insurance rates in the Black Sea and prompted Turkish operator Besiktas Shipping to halt its Russian trading activities.

Turkey's Diplomatic Position and Warnings

Turkey has declared the attacks on shipping unacceptable and warned "all parties," explicitly including Ukrainian authorities, to cease such actions. The government is also urging both Russia and Ukraine to refrain from attacking refineries and pipelines.

Call for Protection of Energy Infrastructure

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stressed the need for uninterrupted energy flows, calling on all parties to keep energy infrastructure out of the conflict. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding key routes like the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline to ensure oil exports continue without hindrance.

Escalating Tensions and Russian Threats

The situation is further complicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin's threats to sever Ukraine's sea access and intensify attacks on Kyiv's facilities and vessels, indicating a potential for further escalation in the region.