The dynamics of the global system are changing day by day. It is known that Russia and China in particular pose a risk to the global hegemony of the United States of America (USA). Because both actors make moves that will force the USA at every opportunity. In particular, it can be said that the Russia-Ukraine War brought a serious test in terms of global equations.
As it will be remembered, the USA has tried to surround Russia through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the past. It is possible to say that a new version of this policy is still being implemented today. Because Ukraine, which was positioned as a buffer zone between NATO and Russia after the Cold War, turned west, which brought the Russia-Ukraine War with it.[1]
In this process, both NATO and the European Union (EU) supported the Kiev administration in almost every issue and implemented sanctions targeting Moscow. One of the actors that came to the fore in parallel with the war was Romania. Currently, Romania can be described as NATO’s outpost in the Black Sea due to its geopolitical position. In this context, the Bucharest administration draws attention with its anti-Russian policies, which it implements with the effect of being a NATO member. Of course, the support given by the USA to Romania cannot be ignored. Common defense policies serve to widen and deepen the relations between the parties. As a matter of fact, as a reflection of the aforementioned relations, the Romanian Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) included F-35 aircraft in its fleet and started the modernization process of the air force. [2]
For the USA, it is very important that Romania has a strong position. Therefore, it can be foreseen that the cooperation between the two countries will continue. However, the USA is not the only country that supports Romania. It is seen that the EU provides significant support to the Bucharest administration, especially in economic matters. For example, it is known that the Romanian Ministry of Investment and European Projects received EU funds over 1 billion Euros. Moreover, Europe is also strengthening its integration policies.[3] In this sense, the Bucharest visit of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) officials can be interpreted as an indication that the relations between the parties will improve. Therefore, it is possible to claim that the cooperation between the parties will be carried to a higher level.
On the other hand, Russia attaches great importance to the Black Sea for geopolitical reasons and claims that the USA is trying to surround itself through the Black Sea. The regional policies of the Moscow administration are perceived as a threat by Ukraine, Romania and Moldova. As a matter of fact, these countries held meetings in Bucharest in order to prevent the aforementioned threat. In this process, Romania expresses that it will continue to support Moldova, which feels the pressure of Russia closely due to the Trans-Dniester Problem.[4]
Similarly, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu’s definition of Russia as the most serious threat to the security of the Black Sea reveals the Bucharest administration’s perspective on Moscow.[5] In this context, Romania believes that NATO has a critical role in the security of the Black Sea and Europe.
On the other hand, Russia attaches great importance to the Black Sea for geopolitical reasons and claims that the USA is trying to surround itself through the Black Sea. The regional policies of the Moscow administration are perceived as a threat by Ukraine, Romania and Moldova. As a matter of fact, these countries held meetings in Bucharest in order to prevent the aforementioned threat. In this process, Romania expresses that it will continue to support Moldova, which feels the pressure of Russia closely due to the Trans-Dniester Problem.
Similarly, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu’s definition of Russia as the most serious threat to the security of the Black Sea reveals the Bucharest administration’s perspective on Moscow. In this context, Romania believes that NATO has a critical role in the security of the Black Sea and Europe.
On the other hand, it is known that many security problems emerged with the Russia-Ukraine War. One of these issues is the issue of food safety. Because Ukraine, one of the most important food suppliers in Europe, is under the blockade of Russia. The Kiev administration has turned to alternatives in agricultural exports in order to overcome the aforementioned problem.[6] In the context of the search for alternatives, the passage of Ukrainian grain through the Constanta Port has come to the fore.[7]This is in line with Bucharest’s expectations and interests. Therefore, it is possible to mention that there is a win-win-based relationship between the parties and a common threat perception.
As a result, with the effect of being a NATO member, Romania implements a pro-Western policy in the wider Black Sea geopolitics and seeks to develop cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova against the Russian threat. In this process, it can be stated that Romania tends to increase its own geopolitical and geoeconomic gains.
[1] “NATO Official: Russia Wants A Buffer Zone Again, and That Includes Romania”, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/nato-official-russia-buffer-zone-romania, (Date of Accession:12.04.2023).
[2] “Romania to Boost Defense with State-of-the-art F-35 Aircraft”, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-boost-defense-purchase-f35-aircraft-csat, (Date of Accession:11.04.2023).
[3] “Romania Receives over EUR 1 bln from the EU in First Months of 2023”, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-eu-funds-first-months-2023, (Date of Accession:04.05.2023).
[4] “High-Level Decisions in Romania: Bucharest Will Continue to Support the Republic of Moldova Which, After Ukraine, “is the Most Exposed to Russian Aggression and Pressure””, Radio Moldova, https://radiomoldova.md/p/10176/high-level-decisions-in-romania-bucharest-will-continue-to-support-the-republic-of-moldova-which-after-ukraine–is-the-most-exposed-to-russian-aggr, (Date of Accession:11.04.2023).
[5] “Ukraine, Romania, Moldova Meet in Bucharest to Discuss Black Sea Security”, Romania Insider, https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-romania-moldova-meet-bucharest-035808293.html, (Date of Accession:14.04.2023).
[6] “Ukraine Relaunches Bystroye Canal as Key Export Route”, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/ukraine-relaunches-byrstorye-canal-exports, (Date of Accession:24.04.2023).
[7] “Reuters: Rebound in Romania’s Grain Output May Limit Room for Ukrainian Shipments in Constanta”, Romania Insider, https://www.romania-insider.com/reuters-rebound-romania-grain-output-limit-ukrainian-shipments-constanta, (Date of Accession:04.05.2023).
