Travellers to Romania: EU weighs Black Sea naval mission after coastal strikes

The European Parliament has asked the European Union and its member states to consider deploying an EU naval operation in the Black Sea, following deadly attacks on civilian merchant vessels off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria and repeated violations of Romanian airspace. Lawmakers say the strikes are part of a deliberate pattern of escalation by Russia into the western Black Sea.

Key facts

• The resolution was adopted on Thursday with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions.
• Parliament holds Russia responsible for attacking civilian vessels and for escalating its war against Ukraine into the western Black Sea.
• MEPs want the EU to consider a naval operation and NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative.
• More EU support is requested for Romania and Bulgaria on detecting and tracking hostile drones.
• The adopted text is due to be published on 22 October 2026.

What is happening in the Black Sea?

Parliament strongly condemned the latest deadly strikes off the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts, as well as repeated violations of Romanian airspace. The text states that Russia is the overall driver behind the deteriorating situation in the Black Sea region and that Moscow has systematically targeted civilian shipping.

MEPs commended the Romanian and Bulgarian maritime rescue services, border police and passing merchant vessels for their swift assistance to ships. They also voiced concern over what they described as the Bulgarian government's ambiguous handling of the Russian threat and its weak diplomatic response.

What has Parliament asked for?

Lawmakers say the EU and its member states should consider a naval mission in the Black Sea, arguing that freedom of navigation and maritime security are part of securing NATO's eastern flank, the Black Sea region and the Danube delta. They also called on NATO to consider a Black Sea initiative, building on existing discussions about a possible "Black Sea Sentry", and stressed closer cooperation between Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye.

Parliament urged Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radev to "match demands for allied solidarity with concrete action" and to stop delaying Bulgaria's participation in NATO's anti-drone initiative, Air Defence Capabilities Against Lower-level Air Threats.

What support is planned for Romania and Bulgaria?

The resolution asks EU countries, working with NATO, to help Bulgaria and Romania detect and track hostile drones that threaten Black Sea shipping. MEPs also want the EU Black Sea maritime security hub initiative to be rapidly put into operation, and unspent funds from the EU's SAFE instrument used to help the two countries meet these challenges.

Lawmakers further called for stronger protection of submarine telecommunications, electricity transmission and data cable projects through better maritime surveillance, regional cooperation and rapid-response mechanisms.

What this means for travellers

The resolution is a political call and does not announce any changes to visas, entry rules or travel documents for Romania or the wider region. What it does describe is an active security situation around Black Sea shipping and Romanian airspace, which travellers planning sea or air journeys in the area should keep in mind.

The adopted text is scheduled to be made available on 22 October 2026. No timetable has been given for any decision on an EU naval operation.