Romania and Bulgaria concerned about US-Russia talks on Black Sea - FT
Kyiv • UNN
Romania and Bulgaria fear that a deal between the US and Russia could restore Moscow's influence in the Black Sea. The talks concern the safety of navigation and exports.
"Black Sea states of Europe - Romania and Bulgaria" - are "nervously watching" the peace talks between the US and Russia on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia today, fearing a possible agreement that would restore some of Moscow's influence in the sea, the Financial Times reports, writes UNN.
Details
Negotiators from Moscow and Washington are expected to discuss Black Sea security and the potential restoration of export routes in Riyadh today with the intention of linking a naval agreement to a broader peace deal.
Mike Waltz, national security adviser to US President Donald Trump, said yesterday that the talks would focus on "a ceasefire at sea in the Black Sea so that both sides can transport grain, fuel and resume trade in the Black Sea."
EU coastal states Romania and Bulgaria fear any significant change to the status quo in the Black Sea as part of any broader potential agreement between Russia and the US
Ukraine, the publication points out, has successfully driven the Russian fleet out of the western part of the sea, "which has become one of Kyiv's most striking military achievements in more than three years of war." "Thus, any agreement that is negotiated is expected to benefit Moscow," officials said, and could affect the security of their countries without giving them a say.
"This is our area, and we don't trust the Russians if they are given a lot of leeway," one of the officials said.
Even Russian officials described today's talks as "technical," involving mid-level officials rather than senior politicians.
However, Trump's chief special envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, seemed quite optimistic yesterday, the publication notes.
"I think on Monday you will see real progress in Saudi Arabia, especially when it comes to a ceasefire on ships in the Black Sea between the two countries," he told Fox News.
Addition
US President Donald Trump has demanded an end to the war in Ukraine as soon as possible and has begun bilateral talks with both Moscow and Kyiv in an attempt to find a basis for a peace agreement. European countries are not directly involved in the discussions.
