The New Strategy Center and the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), USA, organised a side event at the Munich Security Conference on the strategic importance of the Black Sea in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The working dinner brought together Romania’s Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobescu, and Moldova’s Defence Minister, Anatolie Nosatîi, the President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Michal Szczerba, and the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, Angus Lapsley, US State Department Special Representative for Food Security Cary Fowler, European Commission Sanctions Representative David O’Sullivan, Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Yurii Vaskov. The event was also attended by several members of the US Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, security experts, generals and admirals, including the Commander of the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean and Commander of NATO JFC Naples, Admiral Stuart Munsch.

Discussions were moderated by LTG (ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commander of the US Army Europe and member of the NSC International Consultative Board, and conclusions were presented by Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, Honorary Chairman of the NSC Scientific Council and Director General of the EU Satellite Centre.

Participants highlighted the security challenges posed by Russia’s aggression, such as mines, electronic warfare, and the blocking of perimeters under the pretext of naval exercises. George Scutaru, CEO of the New Strategy Center, noted that events in the Black Sea have a significant regional and global impact, especially in terms of food security, connectivity and energy security, another feature being Russia’s aggressive behaviour, with the Black Sea playing a special role in Russian strategic thinking. The evolution of the war in Ukraine will influence the security of the Black Sea region and NATO’s entire Eastern Flank, with a possible freeze of the conflict giving Russia the opportunity to renew its forces and resume aggression against Ukraine.

Speakers emphasised the negative consequences of diminishing support for Ukraine, with a Russian victory encouraging other states, such as North Korea or Iran, to behave more aggressively, including Taiwan’s future security being affected by the outcome of the Ukraine conflict. US support for Ukraine and maintaining strong transatlantic ties at the NATO level are vital to stopping Russian aggression and halting the rise of dictatorial regimes.

 

The New Strategy Center is the only think tank in Romania to organize for the last four years, at the Munich Security Conference, the most important security event in Europe, an event dedicated to the strategic importance of the Black Sea and the challenges in the region, thus contributing to promoting Romania’s security interests and strengthening NATO cooperation in the region.