The USA is on the verge of passing the long-awaited Law on Black Sea Security: what will it change

The United States of America is preparing to adopt the Black Sea Security Act of 2023, which provides for the deployment of a military contingent in the Black Sea.

This document is important for Ukraine, as it will ensure the presence of NATO in the Black Sea, which will positively affect the strengthening of the national security of our country.
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By: Olga Lipych

The United States of America is preparing to adopt the Black Sea Security Act of 2023, which provides for the deployment of a military contingent in the Black Sea. This document is important for Ukraine, as it will ensure the presence of NATO in the Black Sea, which will positively affect the strengthening of the national security of our country.

The consideration of this document by Congress indicates a change in the attitude of the United States to Ukraine and its maritime security, writes Bohdan Ustymenko, an associate expert of the Center for Global Studies "Strategy XXI" in an article for Ukrinform .
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This bill is an addition to another document - the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which determines the spending of the States on national defense for the year 2024. A message on the Congressional website said that the NDAA bill has passed both houses and is to be signed by President Joe Biden.

As Ustimenko noted, the "Black Sea Security Act of 2023" received the support of two leading parties in the USA, as the project was submitted by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Mitt Romney. This indicates bipartisan support for US participation in strengthening the security of the Black Sea region.

The expert noted that the document contains important conclusions for Ukraine:

- it is in the interests of the USA to support efforts to prevent the spread of armed conflict in Europe by recognizing the Black Sea region as an arena of Russian aggression;

- the Black Sea states are of crucial importance for countering the aggression of the Russian Federation and promoting the collective security of the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance;

- the violent attempts of the Russian Federation to expand its territory and control access to the Mediterranean Sea through the Black Sea pose a threat to the national security of the United States and NATO;

- it is in the interests of the USA to strengthen economic ties with the Black Sea states.

In the draft law on Black Sea security, the US sets the following goals:

– together with NATO members, consideration of the issue of a regular presence in the Black Sea on a rotational basis;

- creation of an opportunity for increased investment and economic expansion, in particular in the field of energy and transport infrastructure, between the United States and the Black Sea states;

– strengthening of economic ties between the USA and Black Sea partners by strengthening the American presence and increasing American investments in these states;

- Washington will undertake to find ways to solve food security problems arising from the blocking of Ukrainian seaports, as this problem will have critical consequences for the national security of the US and its partners;

- provision of economic alternatives to "forced economic options by the PRC", which destabilize and further undermine the economic integration of the Black Sea states.

In addition, the US will consider placing an interstate military headquarters in the Black Sea region, which will be responsible for planning, combat readiness, conducting exercises and coordinating military activities in the wider Black Sea region.

At the same time, as Ustymenko notes, it will depend on the Ukrainian authorities what amount of additional aid and foreign investments Ukraine will be able to attract on the basis of the US Black Sea Security Act.

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