FT: Romania and Bulgaria Fear a Change in the Black Sea Situation After Russia-US Talks

Romania and Bulgaria are concerned that talks between Russia and the US in Saudi Arabia could seriously alter the situation in the Black Sea in Russia’s favor. This was reported on Monday, 24 March, the Financial Times newspaper, citing informed interlocutors, writes European Pravda. The newspaper noted that “Europe’s Black Sea states are nervously watching the US-Russia peace talks on Ukraine that continue today in Saudi Arabia, fearing a possible agreement that would restore some of Moscow’s influence over the disputed waters.” Specifically, informed officials from Romania and Bulgaria told the newspaper that the two countries “are wary of any significant change to the status quo in the Black Sea as part of any broader potential agreement between Russia and the United States,” given that this could “expand the operational area of the Russian fleet.” “This is our adjacency and we will not trust the Russians if they are allowed more leeway,” one official said. As is known, talks between the US and Russian delegations have started in Saudi Arabia. Before that, the US and Ukrainian delegations held discussions in Riyadh on 23 March. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry told that this meeting should “define the parameters of those proposals on various ceasefire regimes that are on the table today”. Before the discussion, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who was part of the Ukrainian delegation, said that the meeting would be more technical and that the Ukrainian delegation included energy experts and military personnel from the sea and air components. Following the talks, Umerov said the conversation with the U.S. delegation in Saudi Arabia was “constructive and focused”, without going into details.