European Parliament calls for EU naval mission in Black Sea

The European Parliament has called on the European Union to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea following deadly strikes on civilian merchant vessels off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania and repeated violations of Romanian airspace.

The resolution, adopted on Thursday Oct. 22 with 432 votes in favour, 52 against and 88 abstentions, stresses that these attacks fit a clear pattern of Russian escalation in which Moscow has systematically targeted civilian shipping.

“Russia is the overall driver behind the deteriorating situation in the Black Sea region,” the text reads.

MEPs call on Bulgaria’s prime minister Rumen Radev to “match demands for allied solidarity with concrete action.” They also urge Bulgaria to stop delaying its participation in NATO’s anti-drone initiative ‘Air Defence Capabilities Against Lower-level Air Threats.’

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