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- Source: European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20261018IPR48267/black-sea-attacks-meps-say-the-eu-must-consider-a-naval-operation-in-the-region
The European Parliament has called on the EU to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea after deadly attacks on civilian merchant vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, in a resolution adopted in Strasbourg on Thursday by 432 votes to 52, with 88 abstentions. The chamber attributes responsibility for the strikes and for repeated violations of Romanian airspace to Russia.
Key facts
What does the Parliament say about the attacks?
- The European Parliament adopted the resolution on Thursday with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions.
- MEPs condemn deadly strikes on civilian merchant vessels off Bulgaria and Romania and repeated violations of Romanian airspace, holding Russia responsible.
- The text urges the EU and its member states to consider an EU naval operation in the Black Sea and asks NATO to look at a Black Sea initiative building on talks about a possible "Black Sea Sentry".
- Parliament criticises the Bulgarian government's ambiguous handling of the Russian threat and urges Prime Minister Rumen Radev to match calls for allied solidarity with concrete action.
- MEPs want unspent money in the EU's SAFE instrument used to help Romania and Bulgaria detect and track hostile drones.
In the non-binding resolution, lawmakers describe the strikes as part of a consistent pattern in which Moscow has deliberately targeted civilian shipping. They hold Russia responsible for escalating its war against Ukraine into the western Black Sea and describe Moscow as the main force behind the region's deteriorating security.
The chamber commends the rapid response of Romanian and Bulgarian maritime rescue services, border police and passing merchant vessels that came to the aid of ships in distress. Why is Sofia under fire?
MEPs voice concern at what they call the Bulgarian government's ambiguous handling of the Russian threat, regretting Sofia's weak diplomatic response. The text calls on Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev to "match demands for allied solidarity with concrete action".
Parliament also urges Bulgaria to stop delaying its participation in NATO's anti-drone initiative, "Air Defence Capabilities Against Lower-level Air Threats". What would a naval operation involve?
According to the resolution, the EU and its member states should examine sending an EU naval mission to the Black Sea, arguing that freedom of navigation and maritime security are integral to protecting NATO's eastern flank, the Black Sea region and the Danube delta.
MEPs further ask NATO to weigh a Black Sea initiative that would build on existing discussions about a possible "Black Sea Sentry", and they stress the value of closer regional cooperation between Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye. What support is proposed for Romania and Bulgaria?
Working with NATO, EU countries should help Bulgaria and Romania detect and track hostile drones threatening Black Sea shipping, the text says. It also calls on the EU to speedily operationalise the EU Black Sea maritime security hub initiative, intended to reinforce maritime safety and security and to protect critical maritime infrastructure and the marine environment.
Lawmakers want unused funds in the EU's SAFE instrument directed towards helping Romania and Bulgaria meet these challenges. They add that the bloc's next long-term budget must cover a broad range of security and defence needs, including in the Black Sea region.
The resolution also calls on the EU and its member states to strengthen the protection and resilience of submarine telecommunications, electricity transmission and data cable projects through better maritime surveillance, regional cooperation and rapid-response mechanisms.
The adopted text is due to be published on 22 October 2026, and a video recording of the plenary debate held on 20 October 2026 is available through the Parliament's multimedia centre.
Source: European Parliament
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