Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum 2026

The panel on alliance solidarity and NATO's future focused on the need to preserve unity and credible deterrence ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. Wolfgang Ischinger emphasized that the alliance's cohesion must send a clear message to Moscow, arguing that NATO's credibility depends not only on military capabilities, but also on the perception of unity among allies. He stressed the strategic importance of Türkiye within NATO, particularly given its geographic proximity to both the Black Sea and the Middle East, and argued that the Ankara Summit must reassure all allies, including Turkey, that their security concerns are fully recognized within the alliance.

Sorin Ducaru highlighted that NATO is undergoing a period of profound transformation, driven both by Russia's aggression and by rapid technological change. He pointed to NATO's growing focus on cyber defence, hybrid threats, artificial intelligence, and undersea infrastructure protection, while also underlining the importance of Europe reducing its dependence on American strategic enablers. The discussion also addressed the implications of increased European defence spending, the rise of hybrid warfare and disinformation, as well as the possibility of deeper European discussions around nuclear deterrence through cooperation with France and the United Kingdom.

In engleză- Moderator and Speakers:
Mr. Chris ALDEN, Director, LSE Ideas, UK; Ms. Viktorija STARYCH-SAMUOLIENĖ, Co-Founder and Director of Strategy, Council on Geostrategy, UK; Mr. Emmanuel DUPUY, President, Institute for European Perspective and Security, France; Mr. Tomasz SMURA, Head of the Defence Track, Warsaw Security Forum, Poland; Mr. Matthew BOYSE, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, USA.

Panel Summary:
The debate centered on the concept of the "Coalition of the Willing," recently codified through the Paris Declaration as a strategic response to the imperative of securing the Eastern Flank and the Black Sea. The discussion marked a paradigm shift: the recognition that European security depends on the ability of European states to act decisively, moving beyond the sometimes slow decision-making processes of traditional structures.

A key highlight was the ambitious plan to mobilize tens of thousands European troops, emphasizing that 26 out of the 35 countries in the Coalition (including powers such as France, Poland, the UK, and Germany) have expressed readiness to deploy "boots on the ground." This presence is considered the ultimate deterrent. Particular attention was paid to the Black Sea, where a maritime strategy to combat Russia's "shadow fleet" is urgently needed, as regional destabilization is viewed as a direct threat to collective security.

Economic and demographic perspectives offer a glimmer of hope: Russia has suffered massive human losses (1 in 30 citizens killed or wounded) and colossal financial costs (17.3 trillion rubles), which could force a shift in the Kremlin's calculus. However, speakers warned that "the absence of war does not mean peace" and that Putin must be forced to stop by the certainty that he will never secure Ukraine. In this regard, the use of frozen Russian assets and the tightening of sanctions are vital.

For Ukraine, the only credible security guarantee remains NATO membership. Until then, Ukraine must achieve full military compatibility with the Alliance, using the Swedish and Finnish models as benchmarks. Additionally, the creation of a European Defence Council was proposed to eliminate the veto power that can currently paralyze critical decisions.

The panel concluded with a call for unity and pragmatism: democracies must demonstrate resilience in the face of electoral cycles and maintain cross-party political consensus. The message to transatlantic partners was clear: the more Europe demonstrates its capacity for self-defense and invests in anti-drone technologies and deep-strike capabilities, the more solid US support will be. "We must be ready to commit resources now, not just in the future."

Panel XIb titled "AI, Cyber & Disruptive Tech Threat Amplification: Building a Resilient Technology and Security Ecosystem in the Black Sea Region" – in partnership with the National Cyber Security Directorate, Romania, was chaired by Mr. Iulian POPA, Senior Associate Expert, New Strategy Center, Romania. The invited speakers were Mr. Dan CÎMPEAN, Director, National Cyber Security Directorate, Romania; Mr. Nicolas ZIPPELIUS, Member, Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, Bundestag, Germany; Ambassador Sorin DUCARU, Honorary Chairman of the Scientific Council, New Strategy Center, Romania, and Mr. Corneliu BJOLA, Professor of Digital Diplomacy, University of Oxford, Romania.

The panel explored various novel aspects related to AI, cyber, and other disruptive technologies: the pace of technological advancement, the scale of impact, and the fact that innovation is overwhelmingly driven by private initiative. Now, dangerous technologies can spread faster because they are not under the direct control of governments, which challenges our Westphalian notion of state sovereignty. From the Romanian experience, it is obvious that the attack surface continues to increase. There is not necessarily an increase in the number of cyber incidents, but in the level of their sophistication. Other big concerns are the lack of experienced experts and the lag in the regulatory process. The panelists also discussed the deployment of integrated AI in kinetic warfare in operations in Venezuela or Iran, and different ways to understand and counter disinformation narratives today.

The panel "From Wind and Solar to Green Hydrogen: The Future of Sustainable Energy in Europe and the Impact in the Black Sea Region" brought to the forefront the future of sustainable energy in Europe and its implications for the Black Sea region. The session was coordinated by Mr. Laurențiu PACHIU, Senior Associate Expert, New Strategy Center, Vice President, Energy Policy Group, Romania. The speakers were: Mr. Lorant ANTAL, Chair, Committee on Energy, Senate, Romania; Mr. Christian EGENHOFER, Senior Fellow, Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute, Germany; Mr. Ondrej SAFAR, Country Manager, Evryo Group, Romania, Czech Republic; Mr. Bogdan BADEA, CEO Hidroelectrica, Romania.

The major challenge for the European Union remains securing access to competitively priced energy resources, a decisive factor in maintaining its industrial relevance on the global market. In the absence of affordable energy, numerous industrial sectors face the risk of scaling back their activities. In this context, hydrogen could become an essential element for industry, alongside the development of wind energy capacities. The Black Sea stands out for its significant potential in this area, estimated at around 7 GW in Romania alone. Although the region is going through a period marked by major geopolitical tensions, including the presence of drones, sea mines and unauthorized vessels, the successful launch of the Neptun Deep project is expected to act as an important catalyst for new investment in the Black Sea region.

Panel XXI a: Connectivity Corridors, Maritime Chokepoints, and Global Stakes. Maintaining Open Seas from the Black Sea to the South China Sea – in partnership with The Heritage Foundation, USA
Moderator and Speakers: Mr. Silviu NATE, Director, Center for Global Studies, Sibiu; Mr. James CARAFANO, Senior Counselor, The Heritage Foundation, USA; Mr. Alisher ABDRESHEV, Expert, KazISS, Kazakhstan; Mr. Kaush ARHA, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council, USA; Mr. Ken ENDO, Professor, University of Tokyo, Japan; Mr. Adrian FLOREA, Executive Director, Concelex, Romania.
Panel Summary: This session addressed the critical vulnerability of maritime and terrestrial chokepoints in an era where geography is increasingly being weaponized. From the Kerch Strait and the Black Sea to Hormuz, Bab-el-Mandeb, and the South China Sea, the freedom of navigation is under siege, forcing nations to seek faster and more secure logistical alternatives.
A central message came from the US: "America is not pulling out." While the US Navy may not single-handedly maintain a long-term presence in all theaters simultaneously, American commitment is proven through massive investments in energy and digital infrastructure (such as data centers in Greece and energy deals in the Balkans), outpacing EU investments in the last year. Romania was reaffirmed as the "anchor of NATO's southeastern flank," a vital pillar of stability for initiatives like the Three Seas Initiative.
Perspectives from Japan and Kazakhstan highlighted global interdependence: Japan relies on the Strait of Hormuz for 90% of its oil, while Kazakhstan is actively seeking to diversify routes through the Black Sea to ensure strategic independence from Russian infrastructure. It was noted that land routes are becoming increasingly attractive compared to vulnerable maritime transport, turning Central Asia and the Caucasus into major zones of interest for all global players (USA, China, EU).
A pragmatic dimension was provided by the construction sector, emphasizing that "resilience means projects delivered, not just announced." A warning was issued regarding European infrastructure: 40% of bridges cannot support heavy military equipment (like Abrams tanks). The central message of the discussion was that the development of critical infrastructure and nuclear energy capabilities must remain the responsibility of sovereign actors, capable of responding rapidly to security and defense requirements. In this context, future security will depend on the ability to neutralize threats at their source, through advanced sensor networks, undersea capabilities, and modernized land infrastructure that ensures rapid mobility and continuous digital connectivity.

Panel XIIb titled "Energy Corridors and the Impact on European Security" – in partnership with the Delphi Economic Forum, Greece was chaired by Mr. Orestis CHATZIGIANNAKIS, Senior Content Manager, Delphi Economic Forum, Greece. The invited speakers were Ms. Susan E. WALTON, Senior Advisor, New Markets – Global Risk and Resilience, US, Mr. Cristian BUȘOI, State Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Romania – via VTC, Mr. Ion STERIAN, CEO, Transgaz, Romania, Mr. Kiril RAVNACHKI, Member of the management Board of Bulgartransgaz, Bulgaria, Mr. Alessio MENEGAZZO, CEO & Country Manager, PPC Romania.

The weaponization of energy corridors following 2022 has redefined European security, making the management of systematic risks and the protection of infrastructure a geopolitical necessity. As gas transportation flows shift from South to North, Europe must urgently address its lack of internal interconnections to establish a unified and competitive electricity market, a goal that requires long-term regulatory stability to attract the 20-to-30-year investments needed for major projects. While some nations, such as Spain, have successfully leveraged energy regulations to their advantage, the broader region must look toward the Vertical Corridor as a vital tool for diversification. For Europe to succeed, it must pivot toward a more flexible system and overcome its current innovation gap, especially regarding solar technology, where China currently dominates 80% of production. This shift is a strategic wake-up call: by prioritizing innovation and securing the necessary funding for a modern grid, Europe can transform electricity into its primary winning factor for future security and autonomy.

The panel "The Fight for Truth in the Era of Alternative Media and Deepfake Technology" examined the challenges posed by disinformation and the evolution of deepfake technologies. The session was moderated by Ms. Roberta RĂDUCU, Assistant Professor, College of Communication and Public Relations, SNSPA, Romania. The panel featured contributions from: Ms. Alexia TASOULI, International Correspondent, Greece; Mr. Sascha FAHRBACH, Lecturer, Kozminski University, Poland; Mr. Ion IONIȚĂ, Senior Editor, Adevărul Newspaper, Romania; Mr. Tudor GALOȘ, Senior Privacy & AI Consultant, Tudor Galos Consulting, Romania.

In the digital age, the accelerated dynamics of information flows and disinformation on social media have fundamentally altered the way we perceive reality, forcing traditional media to redefine its role in a landscape where audiences are increasingly shifting toward alternative and unfiltered sources. This transition is further exacerbated by the algorithms of digital platforms, which exploit users' psycho-emotional vulnerabilities in order to amplify false narratives and deepen social divides.

Against this backdrop, Romania is facing a worrying level of polarization, reflected in deep cleavages between rural communities, urban areas and the diaspora. A significant segment of the rural population appears more receptive to anti-EU, anti-Ukraine or pro-Russian messages, while pro-Western urban groups are increasingly concerned about the potential erosion of democratic rights and freedom of expression. The diaspora, in turn, voices frustrations related to the lack of opportunities at home. In this fragile context, it becomes essential not only to hold social media platforms accountable, but also to rebuild public trust across society as a whole.

Panel XIIIa, titled "Europe's Nuclear Umbrella. From Transatlantic Assurance to European Ambitions", held in partnership with the Institute for European Perspective and Security, brought together an extensive debate on the future of European nuclear deterrence and its relationship with the transatlantic security architecture. The session was moderated by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Vasile Toader, member of the Scientific Council of the New Strategy Center and former Deputy Chief of Defence of Romania, and featured as speakers Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security in France; General (Ret.) James Everard, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) and Honorary Chairman of the International Consultative Board of the New Strategy Center; Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commander of the United States Army Europe and member of the International Advisory Board of the New Strategy Center; as well as Liviu Horovitz, Head of the project "Strategic Threat Analysis and Nuclear (Dis-)Order" (STAND) at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The discussion started from the premise that, for decades, European nuclear security has been built around the American nuclear umbrella integrated within NATO, an arrangement that was rarely publicly questioned after the end of the Cold War. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the return of large-scale conventional war to Europe, the erosion of arms control regimes, and uncertainties surrounding domestic political developments in the United States have, however, brought back fundamental questions regarding the credibility of Western nuclear deterrence and Europe's ability to strengthen its own strategic security pillar.

The panel highlighted that discussions about a more pronounced European dimension of nuclear deterrence do not aim to replace the American umbrella, but rather to complement it through greater European strategic responsibility. The evolution of Franco-British cooperation, the deepening of strategic dialogues with Germany and Poland, and emerging initiatives on European coordination in nuclear policy and escalation management were all addressed. At the same time, it was emphasized that the decision to use nuclear weapons remains strictly under national sovereign control, and that any attempt to expand a European role in this domain raises highly sensitive political and institutional questions, including command-and-control mechanisms, political consultation, and burden-sharing. It was also underlined that the development of a fully autonomous European nuclear capability would entail enormous financial costs and a level of political integration that is difficult to envision in the current European context.

The discussion further highlighted profound transformations in the contemporary strategic environment, marked by Russia's use of nuclear coercion, the intensification of global geopolitical competition, and emerging vulnerabilities linked to information warfare, technological proliferation, and competition over strategic resources. Participants stressed that modern deterrence can no longer be reduced solely to its nuclear dimension, but must integrate long-range conventional capabilities, air and missile defense systems, societal resilience, and non-kinetic instruments. Regarding Ukraine, it was argued that NATO membership would automatically strengthen the European security architecture and extend alliance guarantees to Kyiv; however, a formal and anticipatory extension of the Western nuclear umbrella to Ukraine remains unlikely in the current political context. Overall, the panel underscored that Europe is entering a new strategic era in which the credibility of Western deterrence will depend both on the continuity of American commitment and on Europe's capacity to assume a more active role in its own security.

Panel XIIIb titled "Weapons of Russian Informational Warfare" was chaired by Ms. Ileana ROTARU, Senior associate expert, New Strategy Center. The invited speakers were Ms. Charlotte FREIHSE, Co-Lead Digitalization and the Common Good, Bertelsmann Stiftung, Germany; Mrs. Svitlana KOVALCHUK, Executive Director, Yalta European Strategy, Ukraine; Ms. Alina BÂRGĂOANU, Dean of the College of Communication and Public Relations, SNSPA, Romania, and Mr. Michael MIKLAUCIC, Senior Fellow, Irregular Warfare Center, USA.

Deterrence by denial has proven ineffective against Russian disinformation because it imposes few meaningful costs on Moscow while leaving its operational space largely intact. Panelists highlighted how Russian informational warfare deploys a wide range of techniques, increasingly amplified by AI, which now shape how ordinary citizens access and process information. Because these tools are cheap and widely available, the barrier to manipulation is lower than ever. As a result, current research has focused primarily on social media platforms, data ecosystems, and the AI infrastructure enabling such campaigns. Yet the broader digital infrastructure behind these systems is equally crucial, particularly for Europe's pursuit of digital sovereignty. Ultimately, some key developments explored by the panelists were the fact that it may be harder to secure public trust than to win a military operation and that narratives of foreign interference are now deeply embedded in domestic discourse.

The panel "Baltic and Black Sea Security – From Kaliningrad to Crimea. Two Seas, One Strategy!", organized in partnership with the Warsaw Security Forum (Poland), was chaired by Mr. Tomasz Smura, Head of the Defence Track at the Polish forum. Participants included Lieutenant General Iulian Berdilă, Deputy Chief of Defence for Operations and Training (Romania), Mr. Yordan Bozhilov, Director of the Sofia Security Forum (Bulgaria), Mr. Wilfried Jilge, Associate Fellow at DGAP's Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia (Germany), and Mr. Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Institute for European Perspective and Security (France). The discussions focused on the interdependence between Baltic and Black Sea security within the evolving Euro-Atlantic security environment.

It was emphasized that the security space in Eastern Europe should be understood as a unified operational environment, where threats are not geographically confined but instead operate across multiple domains, including conventional military, hybrid, informational, energy, and cyber dimensions. In this context, regional cooperation was identified as essential for strengthening deterrence and resilience, with particular emphasis on intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and the development of integrated defence capabilities. The protection of critical infrastructure and improved situational awareness in both maritime regions were highlighted as key prerequisites for long-term stability.

At the same time, the analysis pointed to differences between the Baltic region, where institutional cooperation mechanisms are more advanced, and the Black Sea region, where cooperation remains more fragmented but is gradually evolving. The need to accelerate regional coordination and to adapt to emerging forms of conflict, including hybrid and cognitive warfare, was underlined, along with the importance of maintaining alliance cohesion and preparing for multiple crisis scenarios in an increasingly uncertain and rapidly changing strategic environment.

Panel XIVb titled "It's A Long Way to Tipperary! Challenges for Military Mobility in the Modern Warfare", organized in partnership with the Association of the United States Army – Romania, was chaired by Mr. David CARSTENS, Senior Associate Expert, New Strategy Center. The invited speakers were Mr. Ionel SCRIOȘTEANU, State Secretary, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Lieutenant General (Ret.) Charles HOOPER, former Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Major General Mircea GOLOGAN, Deputy Chief of Defence for Resources, Brigadier General (Ret.) Hans DAMEN, Member of the International Consultative Board of New Strategy Center, and Mr. Alexandru PETCOVICI, Infrastructure Director, Proger Global Network.

The panel explored how logistics remain a critical issue, especially in a geopolitical environment where time is a strategic constraint. NATO must prepare for large-scale conflict in Europe by ensuring that military infrastructure in the Black Sea region is reliable, resilient, and adapted to operational needs. To that end, rail mobility, fuel pipelines, logistics corridors, and dual-use transport systems are all essential. The war in Ukraine has shown that vulnerable logistics trucks and civilian-oriented infrastructure cannot sustain modern warfare, which increasingly targets supply chains first. Future preparedness, therefore, requires infrastructure upgrades built to military standards, exercises that simulate sabotage, stronger monitoring of critical infrastructure, and strategic storage among allies. Romania has made important progress since 2020, especially on north-south transport routes, but further policy changes, energy integration, and balanced investment in both equipment and infrastructure remain necessary.

The panel was moderated by Brigadier General (Ret.) Hans DAMEN, Member of the International Advisory Board of the New Strategy Center, the Netherlands, H.E. Radu MIRUȚĂ, Minister of National Defence of Romania, General (Ret.) Sir James EVERARD, former DSACEUR and Honorary Chairman of the International Advisory Board of the New Strategy Center, United Kingdom, Mr. Vlad DUHAN, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Leviatan Group, Romania, and Mr. Alexandru REFF, Country Managing Partner, Deloitte Romania and Moldova.

The discussion focused on the emerging concept of "defense through infrastructure," with an emphasis on the transition from traditional military infrastructure towards integrated dual-use infrastructure ecosystems capable of supporting both force mobility and deployment, as well as societal and economic resilience in the face of conventional and hybrid threats. The interventions highlighted that the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the systemic nature of attacks on critical infrastructure, with direct consequences for state resilience and operational continuity.

In this context, the panel underscored the need for an integrated approach linking military planning, transport infrastructure, and energy security, as well as the essential role of the private sector in developing dual-use capabilities. The importance of coordinated planning and early industry involvement in defense infrastructure projects was emphasized, in order to avoid operational bottlenecks caused by limitations in strategic mobility networks and technical interoperability.

The panel concluded that infrastructure has become a central pillar of contemporary security, acting as a force multiplier and a critical element of deterrence on NATO's eastern flank. Strengthening infrastructural resilience, enhancing interagency governance, and accelerating investments in military mobility and energy infrastructure are essential to adapting to the nature of modern warfare and maintaining the credibility of the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

Panel XVb titled "The Strategic Triangle of the IMEC, Three Seas Initiative and Danube Corridor", organized in partnership with the Institute for Development and International Relations, was chaired by Mr. Silviu NATE, Director of the Center for Global Studies at the University of Sibiu. The invited speakers were Mr. Sandro KNEZOVIĆ, Research Adviser at the Institute for Development and International Relations, Mr. Kaush ARHA, Atlantic Council, Ms. Małgorzata SAMOJEDNY, The Opportunity Institute for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Florin SPĂTARU, General Director GRUP FEROVIAR ROMÂN, Romania.

The panel explored the potential of the Three Seas Initiative to serve as a prelude to forming an economic bloc with a stronger position to stand up for itself within Europe. It is a means to achieving regional stability and reducing foreign influence, especially in countries with an unfinished state consolidation process. At the same time, IMEC should not be seen as an answer to indo-european trade. It is more of a complementary route to traditional routes, whose necessity has been confirmed by the blockage of the Straits of Hormuz. Ultimately, the panelists concluded that the link between 3SI, the Danube corridor and IMEC should not be imagined as a collection of different routes, or an infrastructure complex. The real potential behind connecting the three lies in fostering the interaction among a multitude of different economic activities along an infrastructure complex.

The panel was moderated by Karsten FRIIS, Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), Norway, and featured a keynote intervention by H.E. Espen Barth EIDE, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

The discussion highlighted the growing strategic relevance of the Arctic within the transatlantic security architecture, with a particular focus on the interconnections between NATO's eastern flank, the Baltic Sea region, and the High North. A key theme was the emergence of a strategic continuum linking the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Arctic, all of which are in close proximity to the Russian Federation, thereby driving increasing convergence in allied security perceptions.

A central point of the debate was the transformation of the Arctic into an increasingly complex geopolitical and geostrategic space, simultaneously shaped by climate change and international security dynamics. It was emphasized that the accelerated warming of the region creates both new economic and transport opportunities, including alternative maritime routes, and significant vulnerabilities, particularly with regard to critical infrastructure and the existing strategic balance. In this context, concerns were raised regarding the growing militarization of the region and the strategic importance of subsea infrastructure, including critical communication cables.

At the same time, the panel underlined that the Arctic is not a lawless space, but rather a region governed by a stable international legal framework, in which the eight Arctic states bear primary responsibility for regional governance, resource management, and security. Nevertheless, the strategic environment is evolving, particularly due to intensified great-power competition and increasing interest in subsea infrastructure, maritime routes, and strategic projection capabilities.

In conclusion, the Arctic was defined as a space where climate change and geopolitical developments intersect, producing a structural transformation of the security environment. Strengthening transatlantic cooperation, preserving legal stability, and developing credible deterrence mechanisms are essential for managing emerging risks and preventing escalation in a region of global strategic importance.

Panel XVIb titled "Reinforcing the NATO and EU' s Defence Technological and Industrial Base" was chaired by Brigadier General (Ret.) Eduard SIMION, Senior Associate Expert at New Strategy Center, Former NATO HUMINT Center of Excellence Commander. The invited speakers were Mr. Sorin MOLDOVAN, State Secretary for Policy Planning, Ministry of National Defence, Romania, Air Flotilla General (Ret.) Adrian DUȚĂ, Senior Advisor, Defence & Security, KPMG in Romania, Mr. Sascha FAHRBACH, Lecturer, Kozminski University, Poland, Mr. Zbigniew PIEC, ISD Director for Central and Eastern Europe General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poland and Mr. Horia-Răzvan BOTIȘ, Board of Directors Member, DIANA NATO, Romania.

The panel discussed how security today depends on the capacity to sustain production over time, which makes closer cooperation between NATO and the EU both increasingly visible and absolutely essential. Their complementarity has improved in recent years, especially as the EU has begun to invest more seriously in defence innovation and industrial development. This shift is crucial, because without a strong industrial base, there can be no credible defence capability. AI, space assets, dual-use technologies, and advanced drone systems are now strategic assets, requiring coordinated research and development, innovation, and a secure supply chain. The objective is not simply to produce more, but to produce smarter and more autonomously.

The panel "From Strategy to Action. A Road Map for the EU Black Sea Strategy" was moderated by Mr. Wilfried JILGE, Associate Fellow at the DGAP's Robert Bosch Center for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, Germany. The speakers included: Ms. Clara STAICU, State Secretary for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania; Mr. Yordan BOZHILOV, Director, Sofia Security Forum, Bulgaria; Ambassador Michaël ROUX, Envoy for the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea, France.

The speakers emphasized the strategic importance of the European Union's adoption of a dedicated Black Sea Strategy, confirming the region's major relevance for European security. For Romania, this strategy represents the culmination of more than two decades of sustained efforts to place the Black Sea at the center of the European agenda.

The Black Sea Maritime Security Hub is regarded as the central element of the strategy, with the potential to strengthen maritime monitoring, information sharing, the protection of critical infrastructure, navigational security and the coordinated response to hybrid threats. The Hub is expected to function as an integrated platform for coordinating existing capabilities and developing a common understanding of regional risks.

For this initiative to succeed, the involvement of Türkiye, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova is essential. The active participation of France and Germany would further strengthen the European dimension of the strategy. Ultimately, its effectiveness will depend on translating strategic directions into concrete actions, supported by measurable targets, effective operational tools and adequate resources. The first implementation review, scheduled for June, will be an important moment for assessing progress and adjusting the course of action.

The panel was moderated by Brigadier General (Ret.) Hans DAMEN, Member of the International Advisory Board of the New Strategy Center, Netherlands. The speakers included General (Ret.) Sir James EVERARD, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), United Kingdom, Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ben HODGES, former Commanding General of the United States Army Europe, United States of America, General (Ret.) Nicolae CIUCĂ, former Chief of Defence, Romania, and General (Ret.) José NUNES DA FONSECA, former Chief of Defence, Portugal.

The interventions provided a strategic assessment of the West's level of preparedness in the context of rising tensions with the Russian Federation, with a particular focus on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and the risks of potential escalation in the Euro-Atlantic space. It was argued that European security is undergoing an accelerated phase of reconfiguration, in which the possibility of a major conflict can no longer be treated as a purely theoretical scenario, but rather as a realistic planning assumption.

A central point of the debate concerned the need to move from a rigid defensive posture towards active deterrence, including the adaptation of rules of engagement and the enhancement of response capabilities in the air and cyber domains. The current vulnerabilities of NATO structures to air and drone attacks were highlighted, along with the need to integrate dense sensor and interception networks, drawing on Ukraine's operational experience.

The role of Eastern Flank states was also discussed, with emphasis on Romania as a key actor in the Black Sea region, both due to its strategic position and its contribution to the Allied security architecture. In conclusion, it was underlined that the effectiveness of modern defence depends on the ability to neutralise threats before they materialise, implying a paradigm shift from reactive defence to proactive prevention.