The EU should discuss a naval mission in the Black Sea to guard merchant ships, modelled on its operation in the Red Sea, says Andrey Novakov, an MEP from the European People's Party (EPP). See our original report: MEPs on defence committee to visit Sofia and Varna after attacks on ships.

Novakov and fellow MEP Emil Radev have asked for a European Parliament mission to Varna and Sofia. It would check on the spot what security steps have been taken. The two also want an EU naval mission.

Warships only escort merchant ships and act only when there is danger, Novakov said. He said they do not add to escalation.

Novakov said he was worried that Bulgarian society is split over the war and the attacks on ships. He called on people not to reduce the issue to an argument over the positions of Russia and Ukraine, but to look at the effect on people, because sailors are missing after some of the incidents.

The MEP is not sure that a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea, now under discussion, will help. He said the proposal may show political will, but it is not enough to protect ships. A moratorium would imply that attacks were encouraged until now, he said, while attacks on merchant ships have never been normal or acceptable.

Novakov also said a foreign drone in Bulgarian airspace should be shot down in a way that stops it falling on someone's house. He said his colleagues in the European Parliament ask whether shooting down a foreign drone is an act of aggression. In his view, sending a drone into another country is an act of aggression, whether it strayed by accident or was sent on purpose, because a drone is dangerous.

He said Bulgaria must strengthen its own defence, but also rely on its allies. A better coast guard and air defence would help intercept drones and stop strikes off the Bulgarian coast.

Novakov said Bulgaria should shape its response around the need to protect its citizens, not around what its neighbours do. He said it gives him no comfort that things are bad in Romania too.

No country in the world can cope alone right now, let alone Bulgaria, Novakov said.

The MEP believes the skills of Bulgarian makers of anti-drone systems are not used enough. These systems can jam and disrupt drones so they fall into the sea. Novakov said a producer from Samokov told him his systems are not bought in large enough numbers.

Bulgaria has domestic political rows over its part in EU security and defence projects. Novakov said Bulgaria's position there must be consistent. He admitted that European countries still need better coordination on defence.

Until now, the EU has not had to build up shared means to protect its borders from drones and hybrid attacks on this scale, he said. Years ago, the idea of the bloc spending money from its budget on defence seemed unthinkable, but now defence takes up more and more space in EU plans.

The European Parliament is discussing new sanctions on Russia and aid for Ukraine. Novakov said the majority in parliament backs more pressure on Moscow. Sanctions hit the Russian economy and limit the ability of Russians to travel, trade and use Western technology and services, he said.

Novakov doubts that US president Donald Trump's deal with Russian president Vladimir Putin on oil and fuel will cut diesel prices, as announced. He said the US is Europe's main partner, but the EU must be able to decide for itself when it disagrees with the US administration.