Black Sea security under scrutiny
Black Sea security was recently tackled by NATO and the European Parliament
Ştefan Stoica, 21.10.2026, 13:50
Black Sea security was the focus of both a meeting of the North Atlantic Council and a debate in the European Parliament. Over a period of ten days, six drone attacks, most likely carried out by Russia, were recorded against civilian vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania. In response, the two countries requested a North Atlantic Council meeting to discuss security in the Black Sea region.
Meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, ambassadors from allied countries agreed to send additional resources to Romania and Bulgaria to help them address Russian attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. The assistance will include support for surveillance, reconnaissance and forensic investigations. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the Alliance had already strengthened its posture along the eastern flank, including through counter-drone capabilities. She also stressed that the Allies would remain united and ensure they were prepared to respond to any threat. Romania and Bulgaria presented their partners with a list of military equipment needed to help prevent such attacks, similar to the support provided by Allies last year. On that occasion, the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Slovakia responded by supplying equipment as part of a temporary solution. France has already pledged additional assistance, while other countries are expected to announce what equipment they will contribute.
The security situation in the Black Sea was also discussed on Tuesday in the European Parliament. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, backed the idea of deploying an EU naval mission in the Black Sea to protect grain-carrying vessels from Russian drone attacks. The EU’s top diplomat described the recent incidents in the region, including those occurring in the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria, as a dangerous and unacceptable escalation. Speaking before the European Parliament, she warned that Russia’s actions in the Black Sea could trigger a global food crisis.
Kaja Kallas also said that the Black Sea security hub, due to be established shortly by Romania and Bulgaria with European Union support, would strengthen intelligence-sharing capabilities. According to the senior EU official, the Union needs to improve its decision-making mechanisms in response to such incidents, hence the proposal for an emergency protocol providing for immediate political consultations and enhanced coordination during major hybrid crises, including coordination with NATO.
Romanian MEP Victor Negrescu of the Social Democratic Party said the European Union could not afford to wait for another serious incident before taking action. He noted that the European Parliament resolution due to be adopted on Thursday calls for the urgent funding and operationalisation of the European maritime security hub in the Black Sea, with a central role for Constanța, a clear implementation timetable and genuine surveillance and intervention capabilities. (VP)
