The EU must respond to Russia’s escalating attacks in the Black Sea with concrete economic and security measures, including further restrictions on Russian access to European markets, stronger protection against drones and dedicated funding for a Black Sea security hub, Romanian ECR MEP Cristian Terheș said.

Terheș, who is ECR Shadow Rapporteur on a resolution that the European Parliament will vote on Thursday, made the call during today’s debate in Strasbourg, saying:

“Security at the Black Sea is not a question that pertains only to Romania or Bulgaria. It should worry us all. Russian drone attacks against port infrastructure and transport routes in the Black Sea are no longer a mere threat against Ukraine, but endanger European citizens. Europe cannot only condemn Russian aggression through statements while continuing to offer it economic and logistical advantages.

“It is time we went past words to facts. The Commission and Council should take economic measures by closing the Northern Corridor, which is used to ship goods from Asia to Europe through Russia. If Russia attacks the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, Europe should prepare more restrictions and should block access to its market for goods coming via Russia. We cannot accept Russia destroying South commercial corridors while taking advantage of the North ones.”

The ECR Group urged the European Union to strengthen its capacity to protect ports, ships and transport infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated drone attacks. It supports the establishment of a Black Sea security hub and dedicated funding for the region under the next EU budget.

Terheș said:

“We should invest in anti-drone protection. Two drones have recently attacked ships. Their current speed is a lot superior to the previous Shahad drones. EU must open the security hub in the Black Sea and the new multinational financial framework should provide for this. The Black Sea should no longer be a training ground for Russian aggression.”