U.S. Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec at the Romanian Military Thinking International Conference

November 13, 2024   It is a pleasure to be here for the sixth edition of the Romanian Military Thinking Conference. My sincere thanks to the Defense Staff for the invitation to speak here today at such a timely event.   The United States has long recognized the geostrategic importance of the Black Sea Region. The Black Sea is vital to the security, trade, and economic interests of its littoral states, as well as the world beyond. It provides a vital outlet for Ukrainian grain shipments, which are critical to global food supplies.   We are grateful to Romania for the role it has played to ensure the flow of Ukrainian grain to the world, enabling the shipment of more than 52 million tons of grain since Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion.   These grain shipments have helped Ukraine pay for the war and enabled grain to reach the counties that need it most.   Romania has also received millions of refugees forced to flee Ukraine with open arms, with ceai and cozonac, offering help to its neighbors in their time of greatest need. Thank you to Romania for that as well.   Next month will mark 1,000 days since Russia began its terrible war of aggression. Hundreds of thousands have died. Russian forces in Ukraine have continued to engage in shocking war crimes, including torture of civilians and prisoners of war. Russia’s actions are the single greatest threat to a peaceful and secure Black Sea. Russia continues to launch drone and missile attacks, including against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and grain facilities.   Some of these drones have ended up on Romanian soil. Russia has targeted commercial ships in the Black Sea, threatening regional security and freedom of navigation.   We all have a stake in thwarting Putin’s efforts to control the Black Sea and destroy Ukraine’s economy. Fortunately, we can rely on strong alliances and partnerships, represented by many of the people in the room today, to respond to the security challenges posed by Russia.   Together we have the capability and the resolve to ensure the Black Sea region remains secure, prosperous and interconnected, and to protect it from military aggression, economic coercion, and malign influence.   In 2023, the Biden Administration published its Black Sea Security Strategy, which outlines the U.S. approach to addressing security challenges in the Black Sea across five pillars: increasing political engagement; strengthening regional security cooperation; enhancing economic cooperation; promoting regional energy security; and fostering democratic resilience.   NATO plays a key role in helping to achieve these objectives. Within the Alliance, Black Sea states have recognized the importance of banding together to address common interests.   This year Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye established a trilateral Black Sea Task Group to clear untethered mines that have been floating in the Black Sea since Russia’s invasion. Just this week, this Task Group completed its third activation period with Exercise POSEIDON.   During this exercise, mine clearing experts from the United States and Canada deployed on Romanian, Turkish, and Bulgarian MCM ships, gaining valuable experience in a key theater and increasing allied interoperability.   Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye also recently signed off on a plan to establish a trilateral military mobility corridor, further increasing regional integration. Ambassadors, we commend all three countries for these vital collaborative efforts. In June, troops from Germany and across NATO conducted the successful RAMSTEIN LEGACY air and missile defense exercise – engaging live targets with the PATRIOT missile system in Romania’s Capu Midia training range.   This capstone NATP missile defense exercise allows member countries to test command and control, airborne early warning, and air defense system weapon firing. This spring France will deploy thousands of troops to Romania for the “DACIAN SPRING 25” military exercise, as part of a wider NATO initiative to improve readiness and ensure member states can respond swiftly to an attack on a NATO ally. Exercises like these send an important strategic message, reinforcing the Alliance’s resolve and capabilities. We thank Germany and France for their leadership in these and other Alliance activities.   NATO’s show of renewed strength has already had ripple effects beyond the Alliance. Most recently, Maia Sandu overcame an unprecedented level of attempted Kremlin interference to win reelection as President of Moldova.   We congratulate the people of Moldova for their commitment to a democracy that reflects the will of the people and for protecting their election from malign Russian influence.   Meanwhile, Ukraine, a nation of indomitable spirit, has defied expectations and proven its resilience against a brutal and unprovoked invasion.   The Ukrainian people have shown extraordinary courage and determination, fighting for their freedom and sovereignty. In the Black Sea their cutting-edge drone strikes crippled Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.   Robbed of sea dominance, Russia has been reduced to disruptive and illegal hybrid strikes on civilian shipping, including a missile strike in September on a commercial shipping vessel in Romania’s exclusive economic zone.   With continued U.S., Romanian, and NATO support, I am confident that Ukraine can and will prevail in this brutal conflict.   As we stand united against shared threats, NATO’s enduring mission to protect our common future is more critical than ever.   To that end, our shared values of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law bind us together, and strengthen our collective resolve.   Working together, I am confident that we will continue to overcome our greatest security challenges, creating a secure and prosperous future for the Black Sea region and beyond. Thank you.  (By U.S. Mission Romania) (Photo:https://ro.usembassy.gov/)