Bocharnikov I.V. Black Sea as a major Russia-NATO theater of standoff in the Ukrainian crisis

Abstract: This article analyzes the unfolding situation in the Black Sea region, on the background of escalating crisis in Russia-NATO relations that is closely linked to the perception of current events in Ukraine. The author outlines the interests of the USA in the Black Sea region, as well as the dynamics of NATO expansion in this area. A growth in NATO politico-military activity becomes evident since early 2014, simultaneous with the escalation of Ukrainian crisis, taking into account the increase in overtly anti-Russian military exercises by Alliance member states. The author analysis of NATO leadership’s decisions to increase Navy presence in the Black Sea. The methodology of this research includes systemic, structural-functional and comparative approaches, as well as methods of analysis, synthesis, observation and modeling. In this article, the author reaches a conclusion that NATO leadership deliberately aggravates the situation in the Black Sea basin, as well as possible withdrawal from the Montreux convention that regulates military ship presence in the Black Sea by U.S. and their allies. The author provides a risk appraisal for international security and national security of Russian Federation.

Keywords: