On November 15, the New Strategy Center and the Yorktown Institute presented in Washington the study „The Battle for the Black Sea! The Importance of Freedom of Navigation and Energy Stakes”. The study provides the public with information on the multiple challenges to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea as a result of Russia’s disruptive actions. Moscow blocks perimeters under the legal pretext of naval exercises, but the duration and large size of the blocked perimeters affect freedom of navigation. The study also highlights the region’s energy stakes, dominated until the war in Ukraine by Russian gas exports. Gazprom is used by Moscow as a factor of political influence and blackmail, which is why ensuring the region’s energy independence is a priority.
The authors of the study are: Seth Cropsey, George Scutaru, Harry Halem, Laurențiu Pachiu.