The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning Russian attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, calling on the EU to provide funding to Bulgaria and Romania to help strengthen regional security. A majority of MEPs also expressed regret over what they described as the Bulgarian government’s weak diplomatic response towards the Russian Federation.
The resolution was adopted by 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions.
Amendments and proposals for the resolution were submitted by the Greens, the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe, the European Conservatives and Reformists, and the Socialists and Democrats. The Bulgarian MEPs among the signatories included Andrey Novakov, Andrey Kovatchev, Radan Kanev, Eva Maydell, Emil Radev and Iliya Lazarov (EPP), as well as Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew Europe).
Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine has been deliberately expanded in a way that threatens civilian maritime traffic, port infrastructure and commercial shipping in the Black Sea, endangering seafarers of many nationalities, the adopted text states. It cites a wave of drone attacks targeting Ukrainian ports, the Danube corridor and grain export facilities, undermining security and economic stability across the wider Black Sea region and having serious implications for global food security.
Russian attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea have increased sharply since mid-2026, spreading from Ukrainian waters into the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Bulgaria and Romania, both EU and NATO members. More than 20 civilian crew members have been killed or reported missing, the European Parliament notes.
Under international humanitarian law, attacks on civilian vessels, particularly during armed conflict, cannot be dismissed as incidents or mistakes, the resolution states. Such attacks pose a serious threat to the security and sovereignty of EU member states and, when carried out in their territorial waters, constitute a violation of their territorial sovereignty.
The Black Sea is one of the world’s most important maritime corridors for trade, energy and food, connecting Europe with the Caucasus, Central Asia and global markets. Persistent disruption to shipping threatens regional economic security and the livelihoods of millions of people.
The resolution says that Bulgaria and Romania face direct security threats and that the attacks form part of a broader pattern of Russian hybrid warfare against the EU. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns targeting democratic institutions and acts of sabotage, including arson attacks against Starlink infrastructure in Poland and Bulgaria, are also part of the wider security challenge facing the EU, MEPs say.
Black Sea security is inextricably linked to the security of the EU and requires close coordination, solidarity, strong deterrence and a firm collective response from EU member states, NATO allies and regional partners, the resolution says. Protecting against these threats is a European public good and should be funded through a genuine increase in the EU budget, rather than by reallocating funds intended for cohesion, social, research or other policies.
The European Parliament condemns the recent deadly attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the western Black Sea off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania. It calls for a full investigation, the preservation of evidence and the prosecution of those responsible.
MEPs reject any attempt to deflect responsibility through insinuations of third-party involvement unsupported by evidence. They express full solidarity with Bulgaria, Romania and all Black Sea countries exposed to Russian aggression, and commend the Romanian and Bulgarian maritime rescue services, border police and merchant vessels passing through the area for their swift response.
The resolution also calls for continued efforts to locate missing crew members, search-and-rescue operations, technical assistance from the EU, aid for survivors and support for the victims’ families.
A majority of MEPs expressed concern over the Bulgarian government’s response to the Russian threat and regretted what they described as its weak diplomatic response towards the Russian Federation. They called on EU member states to coordinate their diplomatic actions. MEPs also regretted Bulgaria’s delayed participation in NATO’s initiative to counter drones, urging the Bulgarian government not to postpone its decision any further and to formally confirm its participation by October 30.
The European Parliament calls on EU member states to consider deploying a European naval operation in the Black Sea. It stresses that freedom of navigation and maritime security are integral to the security of NATO’s eastern flank, the wider Black Sea region and the Danube Delta.
MEPs also call on NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative based on discussions surrounding the Black Sea Sentinel initiative.
Finally, the resolution proposes allocating unspent funds from the EU security budget to Bulgaria and Romania to help improve security in the Black Sea region.
EP Calls for EU Funding to Help Bulgaria, Romania Counter Black Sea Threats, Voices Regret over Bulgarian Government’s Weak Response towards Russia 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-22 11:47:13
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