European Commission President pledges 60 million euros to Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to monitor – and respond to – the growing spillover from Russia’s war on Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Romanian President Nicusor Dan at Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, 9 November 2026. Photo: EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday announced a new support package worth around 60 million euros for EU countries bordering the Black Sea, as the region faces growing security challenges linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine, including drone incursions and attacks on commercial shipping.
Around 10 million euros will be allocated
Around 10 million euros will be allocated to maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations, while a further 50 million euros will go towards establishing a planned Security Hub, von der Leyen said in Bucharest, where she met Romanian President Nicusor Dan.
The proposed hub – including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey – is intended to strengthen regional cooperation and improve the ability of countries in the area to monitor and respond to security threats, including incidents affecting maritime infrastructure and commercial navigation.
The Commission president said the EU needed to step up its response to escalating threats and ensure the safety of shipping routes across the Black Sea, which have become increasingly vulnerable since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen wrote on X before
Von der Leyen wrote on X before the visit that “security threats are escalating, attacks are increasing, and innocent lives have been lost” in the Black Sea region.
Von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s support for a ceasefire in Ukraine covering attacks on energy and food infrastructure, stressing the importance of protecting civilian facilities and ensuring the continued flow of essential goods.
Drone attacks reportedly damaged at least seven commercial vessels in the Black Sea last month, claiming the lives of two sailors and leaving at least 25 others unaccounted for. The incidents have heightened concerns over the spread of the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders and its growing proximity to NATO territory.
While Romanian authorities have pointed the finger
While Romanian authorities have pointed the finger at Russia, Bulgaria has avoided naming the suspected perpetrator, saying only that the drones came from “an eastern direction”.
On Tuesday, von der Leyen is due to travel to Bulgaria, where she will meet Prime Minister Rumen Radev in Varna and visit the Naval Academy, before attending the COP 31 climate summit in Turkey.
Source: balkaninsight.com
