Romney, bipartisan contingent of colleagues unveil Black Sea Security Act

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) this week co-introduced a bipartisan bill that would task the administration with developing a strategy to provide security in the Black Sea region, located at the southeastern extremity of Europe. 

The region — which is bordered by Ukraine to the north, Russia to the northeast, Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, and Bulgaria and Romania to the west — “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” there, Sen. Romney said on Tuesday.

“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,” added the senator. 

The Black Sea Security Act of 2022, S. 4509, which Sen. Romney cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and four other original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), aims to help protect the Black Sea region, which is of critical importance to the national security of six nations: Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey, according to the bill’s text.

“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,” said Sen. Shaheen. “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.”

Specifically, S. 4509 also would require an interagency report from the administration to outline existing efforts to support democracy, security and economic prosperity in the Black Sea region; ask for an outline of policy options for increased engagement; and require an interagency strategy to increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the European Union, among other provisions, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“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,” Sen. Romney said.