American experts have developed a plan to contain Russia in the Black Sea
Experts from the American government analytical center RAND Corporation have prepared a report on the strategy to contain Russia in the Black Sea, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The document was prepared based on the results of a thematic seminar, which was held in Bucharest, Romania, at the end of March, and was posted on the organization’s official website.
Its authors noted that the Black Sea region is the center of competition between Russia and the West for the future of Europe. As an example, they cite the escalation of tensions between Turkey, the United States and the European Union, which occurs against the backdrop of the completion of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in the south of the country. In addition, experts recalled Moscow’s activity in the Sea of Azov, where ships have been detained over the past six months.
Analysts from the American think-tank expressed concern that Russia has recently modernized the Black Sea Fleet and generally increased its forces in the Southern Military District.
The answer to this, they believe, should be the development of a credible deterrent posture. In their opinion, the response does not have to be equal and proportional to Russia's actions.
“The deployment of advanced air and coastal defense systems in Romania and Bulgaria to counter Russian offensive missile threats, expanded NATO exercises, and continued Western assistance to Ukraine and Georgia in developing their national defense capabilities could strengthen regional deterrence,” the RAND Corporation concluded.
The issue of containing Russia in the Black Sea region was raised in April at the NATO North Atlantic Council. Then the alliance member countries agreed on a package of measures in the Black Sea, which included support for Ukraine and Georgia. The measures include military exercises, information exchange and port calls in the waters.
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