Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) Foreign Policy Specialist Emrah Kaya evaluated the hot developments in the Black Sea to the Milli Gazete.
The Black Sea, which has been called the "Sea of Peace" for centuries, is the scene of a dangerous tension these days.
The possibility of the showdown between NATO and Russia turning into a hot conflict in the power duel in the Black Sea, where Turkey is one of the main actors, remains on the agenda.
While NATO insists on maintaining its presence in the Black Sea to strengthen Ukraine's hand, Russia sees NATO's military presence in the Black Sea as an interference with its sovereign rights.
Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) Foreign Policy Specialist Emrah Kaya evaluated the latest developments in the Black Sea to the Milli Gazete.
NATO-RUSSIA COMPETITION IN THE BLACK SEA
Emrah Kaya, "It is possible to see that the rivalry between NATO and Russia has shifted to different areas recently. The Black Sea, also known as a 'sea of peace', is at the forefront of these areas. Because the West cannot control the conflicts in the Donbas region of Ukraine. It is known that Russia is more experienced than Western countries, especially in hybrid warfare. For this reason, in an area where NATO is less likely to use proxies; in other words, it can be said that it is directed towards the Black Sea," he said.
THE WEST IS TRYING TO SURROUND MOSCOW
Emrah Kaya stated that the high tension in the region also increased the possibility of conflict.
"In the face of the possibility of conflict, NATO aims to "demonize" Russia, both to establish solidarity within the union and to create a justification for massing military forces in the Black Sea. As it will be remembered, at the European Union Summit held a short time ago, a harsh stance was taken against Russia. In addition, 14 actors other than NATO members participated in the 'Sea Breeze' (Sea Breeze) exercise held in the Black Sea today. While this adds an international dimension to the exercise, it shows that it is one of the most important processes of polarization between states in the new polarization process in the world. Thanks to polarization, the Western world is trying to surround Moscow with a similar policy during the Cold War," Kaya said.
CRIMEA IS THE KEY POINT OF TENSION IN THE BLACK SEA
Kaya reminded that the most important detail in the tension in the Black Sea was the annexation of Crimea by Russia.
"While Western countries do not recognize the said annexation; Moscow claims that along with Crimea, the territorial waters in this region have passed over to it. While Russia considers the exercise in the Black Sea as a provocation; This is also the basis of the recent tensions with England. The British Navy showed once again that it did not recognize this annexation by passing through the territorial waters of the Crimean Peninsula. Moscow, on the other hand, considers this a violation of its sovereign rights. In addition, another claim of Russia is that these developments encouraged Ukraine," Kaya added.