NATO will boost naval presence in Black Sea
Journal: Emerald expert briefings
Year: 2016

Significance NATO is taking steps to amend the power balance and contain Russia's military expansion in the Black Sea. Bucharest's renewed push to institutionalise the NATO presence reflects Russia's moves to expand and upgrade its Black Sea Fleet and deploy advanced weapons systems in Crimea. Impacts NATO's moves to strengthen its eastern flank could also boost ties with pro-Western Ukraine and Georgia. However, both Ankara and Sofia will avoid direct confrontation with Moscow. Bulgaria's Socia