Rumen Radev and Nicușor Dan discuss Black sea security with Mark Rutte

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Romanian President Nicușor Dan held talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on security in the Black Sea. The meeting took place in Brussels on the sidelines of the European Council. An official NATO source confirmed the meeting to NOVA and said that neither a press release nor public statements were planned following the talks.

Rutte later posted a message on the social media platform X. “Good meeting with Bulgarian PM
RumenRadev and Romanian President Nicusor Dan about security in the Black Sea & the latest attacks on commercial shipping. NATO has strengthened our posture along the eastern flank including with increasing counter-drone capabilities. NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed".

Good meeting with 🇧🇬 Bulgarian PM @RumenRadevPM and 🇷🇴 Romanian President @NicusorDanRO about security in the Black Sea & the latest attacks on commercial shipping. NATO has strengthened our posture along the eastern flank including with increasing counter-drone capabilities. NATO will continue to work closely with our Allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defence posture as needed

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) October 15, 2026

Radev and Dan are calling for stronger allied protection of commercial shipping following a series of attacks on civilian vessels. The initiatives under discussion include a moratorium on attacks and Romania’s proposal to establish a joint NATO command in the Black Sea involving Bulgaria and Turkey.