“The Black Sea occupies a vital strategic position in Eastern Europe,” Wicker said. “Following the Black Sea Security Summit that I led in Romania last week, it is clear that America needs to lead from a position of strength in the region, but we lack a clear plan of action. I look forward to working with the Administration to design and implement a substantive approach to our regional challenges.”

“As Putin continues his war in Ukraine, the United States must be prepared to address the challenges he’s created in the immediate and long term for European and U.S. security. That is precisely what our legislation seeks to do by looking at a critical geopolitical region: the Black Sea,” said Senator Shaheen. “Putin has already demonstrated the high strategic value he places upon the Black Sea region by invading Georgia in 2008, followed by his annexation of Crimea in 2014 and further invasion of Ukraine this year. Control over access to the Black Sea is fundamental to his delusional dream of building a Russian empire and the United States cannot allow that to happen. We are already seeing the fallout from Putin’s action toward that end by suffocating key ports in Ukraine that have spurred a global food crisis. His belligerence toward Ukraine today is reaping global consequences, which is why strategic action is crucial to thwart those efforts. Our bipartisan legislation urges the Biden administration to make U.S. policy in the region a priority by developing an interagency report, followed by a strategy, to enhance economic ties, strengthen democratic institutions and bolster military assistance and coordination between the U.S., NATO and Black Sea partners, among other provisions. As a fellow member of the Europe subcommittee, I appreciate Senator Romney’s partnership on this legislation and look forward to engaging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to join us in this effort.”  

“The Black Sea has become increasingly critical as Vladimir Putin continues to wage his unprovoked war in Ukraine, and it has become clear that the United States must have both a strategy and presence in the region. Our legislation aims to accomplish this by requiring the Biden Administration to develop a strategy to strengthen coordination between the U.S., NATO, and partners in the Black Sea in an effort to increase security, support economic prosperity, and promote democracy,” said Senator Romney. “I am proud to work with my fellow colleague on the Foreign Relations Europe subcommittee on this legislation and urge our colleagues to join us in this important effort.” 

Specifically, the legislation would:  

• Call for a more robust foreign policy toward the Black Sea region, including increased advocacy between U.S., NATO and EU and bolstering economic ties between the U.S. and the Black Sea region; 
• Require an interagency report from the administration to outline existing efforts to support democracy, security and economic prosperity in the Black Sea region, and ask for an outline of policy options for increased engagement; 
• 360 days following passage of legislation, require an interagency strategy to increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the EU, deepen economic ties, strengthen democracy and economic security and enhance security assistance with Black Sea countries.