Bulgaria is consulting with NATO allies on measures to respond to Russia's actions in the Black Sea, including a blockade of the Bulgarian economic zone, Euractiv reports.

Russia has declared a part of the Bulgarian economic zone in the Black Sea closed to shipping due to military exercises. Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev called such actions a provocation.

"Bulgaria is discussing a response to these provocations, both independently and with our NATO allies," the minister noted.

Tagarev emphasized that Bulgaria has not developed any scenarios in case of a Russian attack on cargo ships sailing from Ukrainian ports through Bulgarian waters, and believes that there are no such risks yet.

"These waters are under the sovereignty of each coastal state and are part of the state territory. An attack in the territorial sea can be considered as an attack on the Republic of Bulgaria and NATO as a whole," Tagarev said.

The minister also emphasized that additional security measures in the economic zones can only be provided by NATO's actions in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. He also noted that Bulgaria will not develop routes for cargo ships in the Black Sea.