Fresh drone incidents near the EU’s Black Sea frontier are sharpening fears in Brussels that the Kremlin is trying to choke off Ukraine’s export lifeline and drive up global food costs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasing drone attacks near EU member states bordering the Black Sea to limit Ukrainian export routes and “make it harder for people to put food on their plates across the world”, a senior EU official has warned.
The EU’s High Commissioner on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, outlined the concern, saying “on Saturday two drones were shot down in Romania, six attacks in 10 days, which marks a dangerous and unacceptable escalation in the Black Sea”.
Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Kallas said “since mid-July Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine export routes”, adding that officials believe “Russia is targeting food security”.
Pointing to market pressure, she said “grain is at its highest price since 2023”, and argued the situation demands the “immediate restoration of safe passage for food in the Black Sea” so exports can move without disruption.
From the floor of the chamber, Bulgarian MEP Andrey Novakov of the European People’s Party said anxiety is rising across the region, including in his own country, as some EU capitals appear to suggest that “the distance from one” member state to other areas makes those concerns less urgent.
Mr Novakov said that “the difference between Strasbourg and Bulgaria should be equal to zero”, warning that this is not a moment for complacency — “the generation of my parents could not afford this luxury”.
“We don’t need to go to the bottom of the sea to see the drone and who is responsible. We know who. It is high time Russia face responsibility,” he said.
German MEP Tobias Cremer, from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group, said “Putin’s objective is as clear as it is cruel, to cut off food and cause unrest in societies”. Romanian MEP Dan Barna of the Renew group said “civilian commercial vessels are being attacked by drones” off the Romanian coast and argued that a plan is needed “yesterday”.
Polish MEP Anna Brylka of the Patriots group cautioned it would be “unfair” to farmers elsewhere if Ukrainian exports were prioritised. German MEP Sergey Lagodinsky of the Greens group pushed back, saying “we are living through insanity” and arguing that “there is nothing ‘hybrid attack’ about a burning ship”.
Belgian MEP Marc Botenga, from the Left group, said responsibility does not lie with Moscow alone, contending that the EU and Brussels share part of the blame because of what he described as inaction since the war in Ukraine began.
He told High Commissioner Kallas that “for five years we have heard here that all we needed is more weapons deliveries and more sanctions. But you’ve spilled the beans. Europe has no independent peace strategy. None. In the meantime, war is spiralling out of control. In the Black Sea, but also in Europe”.
“The US, Russia, China are in talks. The EU is scrambling. And our youth is telling you we will not die for your refusal to negotiate, we will not die for your incompetence,” he added.
