Victoria Vdovychenko1; 1 University of Cambridge, UK
Discussion
The proposed research "From Periphery to the Core of European Security: Transforming Security Dynamics in the Black and Mediterranean Seas" aims to provide an in-depth and nuanced exploration of the shifting security paradigms in the Black and Mediterranean Seas regions as a result of the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine The Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea regions are marked by heightened complexity due to the diverse and often conflicting military, economic, and legal interests of its littoral states. The pursuit of these divergent objectives frequently results in policies that appear incoherent and inconsistent. In this volatile geopolitical landscape, where risks and intense competition are ever-present, it is crucial to develop a nuanced understanding of the underlying dynamics. We propose that the concept of a strategic "trilemma" offers the most effective framework for explaining these dynamics. To illustrate the heuristic value of the trilemma concept in understanding Black Sea geopolitics, we conduct an in-depth examination of Ukraine's situation.
