Von der Leyen defends restoration of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea

A president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today advocated the restoration and preservation of freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, reaffirming support for a ceasefire covering Ukraine's food and energy infrastructure.

“ Today, I begin a visit to the Black Sea region, where security threats are intensifying, attacks are increasing and innocent lives have already been lost. [...] Freedom of navigation in the Black Sea must be restored and preserved,” said Ursula von der Leyen in a statement released in Brussels.

In a statement released before starting a visit to Romania and Bulgaria, the leader of the Community executive noted that “security threats are intensifying, attacks are increasing and innocent lives have already been lost”.

Ursula von der Leyen is expected to meet with her Romanian and Bulgarian leaders “to discuss the situation on the ground and how Europe can strengthen its response” to the security risks in the Black Sea.

The visit was preceded by a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which navigation security, protection of essential infrastructure and diplomatic initiatives were addressed to end the war in Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen immediately called for a “fire-making facility covering food and energy infrastructure”, sectors particularly relevant to the security of the Ukrainian population and the functioning of the country’s economy.

“ We also discussed the ongoing peace efforts and the talks that will take place this week in Abu Dhabi, in which the European Union will be present, together with our partners. I look forward to the meeting with President Zelensky, [at the informal summit] in Dublin this week, to discuss, together with the other leaders, the next steps towards peace,” said the person responsible.

The Black Sea has a strategic importance for European security, not only for its location between Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, but also for its role in trade links, energy transport and agricultural exports.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the region has become one of the main areas of confrontation and military tension, with consequences for commercial navigation, port infrastructure security and international grain supply.

Romania and Bulgaria, both members of the European Union and NATO and coastal countries of the Black Sea, are particularly relevant in the regional security strategy and in the protection of the Eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance.

Freedom of navigation and safety of sea routes are therefore central issues for Brussels, in a context where the war in Ukraine continues to have military, economic and geopolitical repercussions throughout the region.