The current state of the key challenges in the Black Sea region

Abstract

In recent years, the situation around the Black Sea region has sharply escalated. The interests’ confrontation between Black Sea countries and external actors has become apparent there. The development of the dangerous situation is greatly infl uenced by a politico-military factor which is a desire of the U.S. and the European Union to strengthen their presence in the region. The energy-related reason is the supply of Russia’s hydrocarbons through Turkey to the European market. At the same time, Turkey is actively implementing a policy of being a key player in the Black Sea region. In case it completes a project to build a new canal, which will not fall under the international legal regime of regulation of the Black Sea straits, the balance of powers in the region may change. Besides, after 2022, new supply chains between Black Sea countries began to form. New bilateral forms of interaction are emerging, and the nature of relations between Russia and Ukraine has changed dramatically. Western countries are openly involved in the confl ict between the two Black Sea states, supplying weapons and fi nancial aid to Ukraine. That complex of issues between Black Sea states and extra-regional countries increases tensions in the region.