From Synergy to Strategy: The European Union’s Strategy on Black Sea Security

The European Union (EU) launched its strategy on Black Sea security on 28 May, 2025. The strategy is built on three pillars that outline the EU’s priorities:

1. Enhancing security and resilience, including through the creation of a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub.
2. Fostering prosperity and growth by strengthening connectivity, particularly in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure.
3. Promoting environmental protection and sustainability, including demining efforts, support for climate resilience as well as the development of a sustainable blue economy.

The strategy also identifies key regional partners with whom the EU seek closer cooperation: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Similarly, Romania and Bulgaria, both littoral states and NATO members alongside Türkiye, are key actors for regional security and prosperity.

The strategy is designed to work in synergy with existing EU frameworks, such as the Eastern Partnership (EaP) the Global Gateway strategy, and the enlargement process.

Why is it important?

The adoption of the strategy marks a policy shift as it addresses a longstanding gap in the EU’s engagement in Black Sea security. The region holds economic and geopolitical significance, serving as a critical transit corridor for energy supplies, grain exports, and digital infrastructure. The strategy thus reflects a belated, yet necessary, recognition of the region’s strategic value. Security and stability in the Black Sea are not only vital for the littoral states, but represent a concern for European security as a whole.

Despite the Black Sea’s growing strategic importance, the EU has until now lacked a cohesive strategy to meet the regional security challenges posed by Russia. The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine underlined the Black Sea’s central role in the evolving European security architecture. Russia has militarised large parts of the Black Sea following the illegal annexation of Crimea. Throughout the war in Ukraine, Russia has disrupted freedom of navigation, and its assertive actions have exposed vulnerabilities in the critical infrastructure within of littoral states. This underscores the urgency for the EU to ensure security and stability in its immediate neighbourhood.

The strategy is also necessary in light of the dynamic political context in the region. The EU’s role and responsibility are increasing amid the accession process of Ukraine and Moldova. At the same time, internal challenges on the EU’s eastern flank, such as waning public support for the EU in Bulgaria and Romania, and the stalled accession progress in Georgia, underscore the need for a greater strategic EU presence.

What are the policy implications?

The strategy identifies key security challenges and outlines urgent thematic priorities. Although the focus on security is not unique for the Black Sea, it reflects the EU’s broader ambition of becoming a more influential geopolitical actor and to strengthen its own defence capabilities. The emphasis on connectivity is also consistent with broader EU efforts to enhance strategic autonomy and external engagement.

The strategy outlines both opportunities and challenges. Financially, its implementation will depend on the next Multiannual financial framework since the scope of current operations is constrained by the existing budget.

Furthermore, the strategy aims to strengthen cooperation with countries at varying stages of EU alignment. Türkiye’s, involvement remains vital to regional security under the Montreux Convention. Türkiye’s military capabilities and NATO membership further underscores its critical role in the Black Sea. The region’s mixed composition of memberships in both the EU and NATO highlights the importance of synergies with other frameworks to ensure effective coordination. While the EaP can provide a structure for connectivity initiatives, coordination with NATO and integration of partner country capabilities are crucial to ensure the first pillar of security.

In conclusion, the EU’s Black Sea security strategy is a timely and necessary response to the region’s growing strategic importance and security challenges.  However, its long-term implications and credibility will depend on the EU’s ability to translate its strategic objectives into concrete action.

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