Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "Today, two merchant vessels were struck by drones in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. One sank. Another caught fire, forcing 18 crew members to abandon ship. 

This comes just a day after Russia attacked a Turkish-owned civilian vessel carrying food through the Black Sea, killing its captain. 

Russia is creating a dangerous chain of consequences. By attacking civilian ships, it makes navigation a challenge. By making navigation a challenge, it drives up risks, insurance and transport costs, and threatens the flow of food to global markets. 

Freedom of navigation becomes meaningless if Russia can make exercising it a matter of risking a civilian crew and vessel. 

And global food security cannot depend on whether a grain carrier makes it across the Black Sea without being hit by a Russian drone. 

This is how Russia exports the cost of its war against Ukraine far beyond our borders. Russian attacks in the Black Sea turn into greater risks for sailors, higher costs for trade, and greater uncertainty over food supplies for people far beyond the region. Higher risks mean higher costs and ultimately consequences for trade. 

Russia should not be allowed to impose this hidden tax on international trade through violence and insecurity. As well as containing the consequences is not enough. The source of the danger has to be addressed. The more capacity Russia retains to wage this war, the further its consequences will travel. 

This is why strengthening Ukraine and reducing Russia’s capacity for aggression is an investment in the security of the entire region".