The European Parliament and Romania’s Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT) called for stronger measures to address escalating security threats in the Black Sea following attacks on civilian vessels and repeated airspace violations. Both mentioned the need for closer cooperation with NATO allies, improved drone detection, and faster implementation of the EU’s planned regional maritime security hub.
The European Parliament announced that it adopted its resolution on Thursday, October 22, with 432 votes in favor, 52 against, and 88 abstentions. MEPs condemned the latest deadly strikes off the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts and held Russia responsible for escalating its war against Ukraine into the western Black Sea.
The attacks were described as part of a “clear pattern of Russian escalation” involving the systematic targeting of civilian shipping.
Moreover, the MEPs called on the EU and its member states to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea.
“Following the latest deadly attacks, MEPs say the EU and its member states should consider deploying an EU naval operation in the Black Sea, stressing that freedom of navigation and maritime security are part of securing NATO’s eastern flank, the Black Sea region, and the Danube delta,” reads the press release.
The resolution also urged NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative based on discussions about a possible “Black Sea Sentry” and called for closer cooperation among Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye.
EU countries, working with NATO, should provide further assistance to Romania and Bulgaria for the early detection and tracking of hostile drones, MEPs said. They also proposed using unspent funds from the SAFE defense instrument to help the two countries address regional threats.
Separately, Romania’s CSAT met at Cotroceni Palace under president Nicușor Dan on Thursday to assess the same escalation and the measures already taken. The council described recent attacks and airspace violations as “direct consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression beyond Ukraine’s borders.”
CSAT said the situation posed immediate risks to human life, access to Romanian ports, and energy infrastructure in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Thus, the Council decided that Romania’s priorities will include accelerating the development of maritime surveillance, mine countermeasure capabilities, and systems able to respond to drones entering national airspace or territorial waters. Authorities will also conduct regular exercises and update intervention plans for incidents affecting shipping, economic assets, and the marine environment.
“The Council members also discussed ways to strengthen coordination within NATO, including reinforcing deterrence and defense on the Eastern Flank and identifying new measures to respond to threats in the Black Sea region, based on the conclusions of the October 20, 2026 North Atlantic Council meeting convened at Romania’s initiative,” reads the Presidential Administration’s statement.
Plus, the Council also discussed the rapid operationalization of the EU’s Black Sea security hub. It also considered greater use of the regional mine countermeasures task force, whose role was expanded in 2026 to include protecting critical infrastructure.
“In conclusion, the CSAT members emphasized that Black Sea security is an essential component of national and Euro-Atlantic security and that Romania will continue to act in close coordination with its allies and partners to protect its national interests and prevent escalation,” the same source said.
Several commercial vessels have recently been struck by drones in the Black Sea, including within Romanian territorial waters. NATO announced on October 20 that it would send “additional resources” to the region following attacks in Romanian and Bulgarian waters.
On October 17, Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two Geran-family attack drones shortly after they entered the country’s airspace over its territorial waters.
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