European Parliament urges EU to consider naval operation in Black Sea over Russian attacks
The European Parliament has called on the EU to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea following deadly attacks on civilian merchant vessels, which lawmakers blamed on Russia.
The resolution, adopted on October 22 by 432 votes to 52, with 88 abstentions, condemned attacks on commercial shipping off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria and repeated violations of Romanian airspace.
Lawmakers said the incidents followed “a clear pattern of Russian escalation,” accusing Moscow of systematically targeting civilian shipping and extending its war against Ukraine into the western Black Sea.
Naval operation and NATO involvement
The European Parliament urged EU member states to consider a naval operation to protect freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Black Sea, which lawmakers described as essential to the security of NATO's eastern flank and the Danube Delta.
MEPs also called on NATO to consider a regional security initiative based on discussions about a possible “Black Sea Sentry” mission, alongside closer cooperation between Romania, Bulgaria and Türkiye.
The resolution is a political appeal, not a decision to deploy warships. Any EU naval operation would require further decisions by member states.
Romania and Bulgaria urged to strengthen defenses
Lawmakers called for greater EU and NATO support to help Romania and Bulgaria detect and track hostile drones threatening commercial shipping.
They also urged the EU to accelerate the launch of its planned Black Sea maritime security hub, intended to protect shipping routes, critical infrastructure and the marine environment.
The resolution proposed using unspent funds from the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense financing instrument to support Romania and Bulgaria. Lawmakers also called for Black Sea security to be included in the bloc's next long-term budget.
The European Parliament criticized the Bulgarian government's response to Russian threats and urged Sofia to stop delaying participation in NATO's initiative to counter low-altitude aerial threats.
MEPs also called for stronger protection of submarine telecommunications, electricity transmission and data cables through enhanced maritime surveillance, regional cooperation and rapid-response mechanisms.
Deadly incident off Romania
On October 23, a day after the resolution was adopted, the Comoros-flagged cargo vessel Khoryv capsized approximately 24 kilometers off Romania's coast following a suspected drone attack.
One crew member was killed, three remained missing and nine were rescued. The vessel carried 10 Ukrainian and three Azerbaijani sailors.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan linked the incident to the escalation of Russia's war against Ukraine.