European Commission President to visit Bulgaria and Romania amid increase in attacks in the Black Sea

Ursula von der Leyen’s visit comes amid a series of drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea that have heightened security tensions along NATO’s eastern flank.

According to Politico, Politico, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is planning to visit Bulgaria and Romania next week before attending a climate summit in Turkey.

The plans come as NATO allies step up surveillance of the Black Sea following attacks on merchant shipping. Italian, British and American reconnaissance aircraft were spotted flying simultaneous missions over the region on Tuesday, local media reported.

A French maritime patrol aircraft will also remain in Romania for several more weeks as attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea continue.

Details of Ursula von der Leyen’s itinerary remain unknown at this time.

As a reminder, at the end of October, France sent a plane to the Black Sea region after attacks on ships near Romania.