Costa warns that attacks at sea Black “are unacceptable and must stop”

O president of the European Council today said that the attacks on the Black Sea “are unacceptable and must stop”, after Romania had this Friday attributed to Russia the attack on a vessel that caused a dead person.

In a message published on social networks, António Costa expressed “full solidarity” with Romania and sent the “most heartfelt condolences” to the relatives of the victims.

“ Attacks off the coast of the Member States of the European Union (EU) at sea Black is growing as a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. These attacks are unacceptable and must stop,” he said.

Costa also reiterated that the EU “is united in its opposition to Russia’s war of illegal aggression against Ukraine and the intensification of its hybrid campaigns”.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in a message on social media, also expressed herself “deeply alarmed by another escalation of Russia in the Black Sea”.

“ A civilian vessel, with Ukrainian crew members and Azeris, was hit off the coast of Romania. These irresponsible attacks endanger innocent lives and openly challenge international law,” he said.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan today held Russia responsible for the death of one person and the disappearance of three others on board an emergency vessel in the Black Sea.

According to the Romanian authorities, the crew consisted of ten Ukrainian citizens and three Azeri.

In the last three weeks, drones have hit several Merchant Navy ships on the Black Sea off the coast of Romania and Bulgaria, in full Russian-Ukraine conflict.

Last week, seven crew members disappeared on the Romanian coast after a drone attacked the Wine Trader, a chemical tanker that eventually burned down.

The fact was reported by Nicusor Dan, who called for the end of the attacks, which he considered unacceptable.

Romania has already asked NATO to supply more equipment to deal with the situation.