The panel was chaired by Mr. Matthew BOYSE, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and former Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for Central Europe at the U.S. State Department. Speakers included: Admiral (Ret.) Ihor KABANENKO, former Deputy Minister of Defence, Ukraine; Vice Admiral Mihai PANAIT, Chief of Naval Forces, Romania; and Mr. Seth CROPSEY, President of the Yorktown Institute, USA.

Speakers emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has significantly impacted freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. Although Ukraine has succeeded in pushing the Russian fleet away from its shores, maritime threats persist. For example, in Romania’s area of responsibility, over 127 naval mines and approximately 25 drones have been detected and neutralized, while Russia continues to extensively employ jamming techniques that compromise navigation safety. In response, Romania has launched a comprehensive naval fleet modernization program spanning the next two decades, aimed at strengthening maritime security in the region. Globally, tensions are rising, and the United States continues to favor non-military responses—a strategy that many analysts view as insufficient in addressing current challenges.

Watch the live session on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/ICqZAuQVtKg?feature=share