European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €10 million in emergency funding for Bulgaria on Tuesday to enhance search and rescue capabilities in the Black Sea, where drone attacks linked to Russia's war in Ukraine have made commercial shipping increasingly perilous.
"Drones sinking commercial ships, setting vessels ablaze, killing civilians. Lives are lost at sea. Navigation is disrupted and the cost of insurance is skyrocketing," she said during a visit to the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna. "The intention of these attacks is clear: to spread fear and uncertainty in Europe. We know the playbook and we are building resilience against it. So, you can count on a strong and united European response."
Von der Leyen's announcement came alongside Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev, a day after she met with Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest. The funding is part of a broader EU effort to protect maritime routes in the region, which have become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict.
Black Sea security hub
In addition to the bilateral aid, von der Leyen confirmed that up to €50 million would be allocated for the "fast-tracked" development of the Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, a project that will span both Bulgaria and Romania. The hub, which will be based in the ports of Varna and Constanța, is designed to coordinate coast-guard cooperation and respond to threats such as cable cuts and other hostile activities.
The initiative is central to the EU's Black Sea Strategy, published in mid-2025. Von der Leyen promised a "clear timeline for completion," with the European Commission aiming to have the hub operational by 2027, according to spokesperson Paula Pinho.
Radev, who has previously advocated for closer diplomatic engagement with Russia, stopped short of directly blaming Moscow for the recent attacks, saying that "we would like to receive further data and specific facts as to who the perpetrator is." However, he has in the past noted that "logic" points to Russia's aggression against Ukraine as the cause.
Russia has intensified strikes on Ukrainian vessels and port infrastructure, which Kyiv relies on for roughly 90% of its agricultural exports. The attacks have also targeted storage facilities within Ukraine, further threatening global food supplies.
The EU's response underscores its commitment to safeguarding maritime security in the Black Sea, a region that has become a critical front line in the war. The funding for Bulgaria and Romania is part of a wider effort to bolster resilience against hybrid threats, as outlined in the Black Sea security hub initiative.
While the immediate focus is on search and rescue, the long-term goal is to deter further aggression and ensure the free flow of shipping. As von der Leyen emphasized, the EU is determined to counter any attempts to destabilize the region.
