Turkey warned Russia and Ukraine against further attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea and threatened legal action. Reuters. Turkish Defense Minister Yasser Guler said that Ankara reserves the right to take legal action in the event of further attacks on ships flying the Turkish flag or belonging to Turkish companies. The statement was made on October 28 in Sofia after a meeting of the defense ministers and chiefs of the general staff of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. According to Guler, the safety of civilian shipping in the Black Sea is deteriorating due to drone and missile attacks, as well as sea mine drift. The reason for the new warning was an attack on a container ship in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. According to preliminary data, a ship flying the flag of Liberia was hit by three drones. Responsibility for the attack has not yet been determined. Ankara is also awaiting a response from Moscow and Kiev to a previously forwarded proposal to end attacks on commercial shipping and ensure safe exports of grain through the Black Sea. Guler emphasized that Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania intend to expand the joint measures to ensure the safety of shipping, including the operation of mines and the protection of underwater infrastructure. However, specific legal measures against Russia or Ukraine have not yet been announced. Turkey continues to hold talks with both sides and demands the removal of civilian ships from the combat zone.