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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2933(RSP))

On the escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Black Sea shipping, threatening human life, regional stability and food security

B-10-2026-0477

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Marc Botenga

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 23 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

A resolution condemning Russian strikes on Black Sea shipping that have reached the waters of Romania and Bulgaria, and calling for a halt to attacks on civilian vessels and ports. It asks all parties to declare a moratorium on attacks on merchant ships and port infrastructure, and for UN-led investigations into attacks whose origin is unclear. It calls for military deconfliction channels in the Black Sea, maximum restraint from member states and NATO allies, and an urgent EU diplomatic initiative to restore a negotiated maritime safety arrangement. It rejects further militarisation of the Black Sea and new military spending, and asks the Commission to protect seafarers' rights, monitor the environment and assess food-price impacts. It expresses solidarity with Romania and Bulgaria and calls for EU support for civil protection, search and rescue, pollution response, mine clearance and compensation. It says the only lasting solution is an immediate ceasefire and a just and lasting peace, with the EU acting as mediator.

Key points

  1. Condemns recent Russian strikes on commercial shipping and Ukrainian ports, which killed seafarers and extended into EU member state waters; demands Russia cease such attacks.
  2. Condemns all strikes, drone incursions and hostile acts affecting EU member states' territory, airspace, waters and exclusive economic zones, whatever their origin.
  3. Expresses solidarity with Romania and Bulgaria and calls for EU support for civil protection, search and rescue, pollution response, mine clearance and compensation for ports, fishing communities and coastal economies.
  4. Calls for independent, impartial and transparent UN- and International Maritime Organization-led investigations into all attacks on merchant shipping, and warns against hasty attributions and automatic military responses.
  5. Calls on all parties to declare and respect a comprehensive moratorium on attacks against merchant vessels, crews and civilian port infrastructure.
  6. Calls for urgent military deconfliction and crisis communication channels in the Black Sea, involving all coastal states, through Montreux Convention mechanisms and with UN mediation.
  7. Calls on member states and NATO allies to exercise maximum restraint and prioritise diplomacy, and commends peace initiatives while insisting Ukraine be fully involved in any negotiations.
  8. Calls on the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative, the Council and member states to launch an urgent diplomatic initiative with the UN to re-establish a negotiated maritime safety arrangement based on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
  9. Rejects using the incidents to justify further militarisation of the Black Sea, additional military assets or higher military spending at the expense of social, climate and development budgets.
  10. Calls on the Commission and member states to protect seafarers' rights, including the right to refuse to sail into war zones without losing their jobs, compensation for victims and respect for the Maritime Labour Convention.
  11. Calls on the Commission to step up environmental monitoring of the Black Sea, support Romania and Bulgaria in pollution response and mine clearance, and assess long-term ecological damage.
  12. Calls on the Commission to assess the crisis's impact on global food prices and strengthen unconditional humanitarian and food assistance for the most affected countries of the Global South.

Who is affected

  • Romania and Bulgaria: their waters and exclusive economic zones have been hit; they are offered EU support and compensation.
  • Civilian seafarers, many from third countries: the text seeks protection of their rights and compensation for victims.
  • EU member states and NATO allies: asked to show restraint and prioritise diplomacy.
  • The Commission, the Council and the High Representative: asked to launch a diplomatic initiative and carry out assessments.
  • Countries of the Global South facing food insecurity: targeted for unconditional food assistance.

Figures and deadlines

  • 5 October 2026: a Turkish-owned grain cargo ship sank after a drone strike in the Romanian section of the Black Sea, killing two seafarers.
  • 13 October 2026: the cargo ship HS Dignity was sunk east of the Bulgarian coast, with seafarers reported missing.
  • 15 October 2026: the tanker Wine Trader was struck by drones outside Romanian territorial waters; five crew rescued and seven missing as of 16 October.
  • Around 300 vessels supporting Russia were claimed disabled by Ukrainian commanders since 6 July 2026, 166 of them in the Black Sea.
  • The Gulf supplies 38 % of global crude oil, 20 % of gas and 33 % of fertilisers.
  • The World Food Programme projects 45 million people facing acute food insecurity and the UN Development Programme 30 million in extreme poverty as a result of the war against Iran.
  • A poll published on 6 October 2026 found 75 % of Ukrainians open to negotiations with Russia.
  • Ukrainian drone strikes caused damage to Russia of approximately 1 % of its GDP, according to Putin's statements.