RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WIDER BLACK SEA AREA SECURITY ENVIRONMENT
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WIDER BLACK SEA AREA SECURITY ENVIRONMENT

Summary/Abstract: The annexation of Crimea by Russia is a historical event that marks the transition from the post-Cold War era to a multipolar one, where emergent powers of the past two decades, especially Russia, exercise a growing geopolitical influence. Russia justifies Crimea’s annexation on the basis of the fundamental democratic principle - the right to self-determination – but also on historical reasons, including Kosovo. The Wider Black Sea Area (WBSA) security environment has deteriorated significantly, with 2014 as a major turning point in recent post-Sovietic history - a reaffirmation of Russia’s claims on its former influence areas, supported by an accelerated arming process. By extension, Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its accelerated militarization represent a major threat to the WBSA security, forcing the remodeling of security strategies on the European continent. Russia is not willing to lose control over Ukraine, which makes that, in a medium and long term, a “cold front” is foreshadowed in the WBSA, with Romania on its forefront.

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