On 28 September, George Scutaru, Director General of the New Strategy Center, delivered two presentations focusing on the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the security of the Black Sea region.

The first meeting brought together a group of US experts visiting Europe as part of a project organised by GMF, aimed at gaining a better understanding of transatlantic challenges.

The briefing was jointly organised by the New Strategy Center and the Romanian Defence Staff. George Scutaru and Lieutenant General Iulian Berdilă, Deputy Chief of Defence for Operations and Training, presented Romania’s efforts to maintain freedom of navigation amid multiple challenges posed by Russia.

Electronic warfare activities, sea mines, cyberattacks, and incursions by aerial and maritime drones are part of Russia’s arsenal used to put pressure on NATO states along the Eastern Flank, particularly in the Black Sea region, as well as to disrupt energy and connectivity projects.

The efforts undertaken by Romania to strengthen its defence and deterrence capabilities were also presented, including investments in modern military equipment, military mobility, and the pre-positioning of allied capabilities and troops.

The second presentation took place during a visit to Romania by a delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Members of the NATO PA Political Committee and Economic Committee had the opportunity to learn about the latest security developments in the Black Sea in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including Russia’s multiple drone incursions and attacks on commercial vessels in Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone, aimed at undermining freedom of navigation and Ukraine’s exports.

The briefing also covered energy and connectivity projects in the Black Sea, with an emphasis on the fact that, starting in 2027, Romania is expected to become the largest gas producer in the EU. The Neptun Deep project is set to have a major positive impact on energy security in the Black Sea region.

George Scutaru called for a balanced approach to the allocation of NATO resources across the entire Eastern Flank and for continued economic and political pressure on the Putin regime in order to bring Russia to the negotiating table and end its aggression against Ukraine.