During a visit to Berlin on June 3–4, George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center, held a series of meetings with German security and international affairs experts to discuss topics of common interest that are important for the security of Europe and the Euro-Atlantic area.

The discussions focused on the security situation in the Black Sea region in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, possible future developments, the impact of energy and connectivity projects in the Black Sea region on European security, European defense investments, Romanian-German military-industrial cooperation within the SAFE program, transatlantic relations, and peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

The meetings held at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, LibMod – Zentrum Liberale Moderne, the Federal Academy for Security Policy, the Bundestag, and the Federal Foreign Office provided an excellent opportunity to present support for Ukraine and the efforts Romania is making to maintain freedom of navigation amid intense hybrid threats, including naval mines and electronic warfare. Furthermore, the serious incident of May 29, when a Russian Geran-2 drone exploded in Galați, injuring two Romanian citizens, serves as a signal that Russia will continue to escalate tensions in order to test not only Romania’s response but also NATO’s.

At the invitation of the Federal Academy for Security Policy in Berlin, George Scutaru also delivered a briefing on the security situation in the Black Sea region and its strategic importance.

The visit is part of NSC’s ongoing efforts to promote awareness of the strategic relevance of the Black Sea and Romania’s role in the region, particularly in the challenging context created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.