Sea Breeze 2026 Conference – a commitment to Allied cohesion in the Black Sea region
Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, US Sixth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jeffrey Anderson explained the main pillars of the strategy in the region.
Agenția Media a Armatei, 08.10.2026, 14:00
Security in the Black Sea has long ceased to be merely a regional issue and has become an absolute European priority. Today, the Black Sea is an extremely volatile geopolitical space and a critical point for regional security. Constanța, on Romania’s Black Sea coast, recently hosted the third edition of the Sea Breeze 2026 Conference of Black Sea naval commanders, an event that brought together strategic leaders and NATO allies, as well as representatives of NATO’s Allied Maritime Command – MARCOM – from around 20 countries. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, US Sixth Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jeffrey Anderson explained the main pillars of the strategy in the region and how autonomous technologies are becoming vital in addressing hybrid threats and drifting mines.
He said that he was pleased to be back in Constanța and that a wide range of issues had been discussed during the conference. He stressed that efforts to restore peace, security and stability in the Black Sea were important not only for the Black Sea nations, but also for European naval forces. He said the discussions had focused on ways to cooperate on emerging capabilities, including unmanned surface vessels, robotics and autonomous systems. The participants had also discussed a number of such initiatives, as well as ways of helping protect navigation and the maritime environment against the threat posed by sea mines. Finally, he said, they had discussed initiatives aimed at monitoring and protecting critical maritime and underwater infrastructure in the Black Sea.
One of the most important objectives of the Allied presence on the Eastern Flank is the ability of forces to operate together. This tactical cohesion is the result of complex exercises conducted jointly by military personnel, an aspect highlighted by the senior US official. He noted that the conference was taking place shortly after the Sea Breeze exercise, which is held annually in the Black Sea. This year, he said, there had been two editions of the exercise. He stressed that whenever tactical units from the Black Sea nations and other nations from across the European theatre were able to come together, integrate and collaborate, share best practices, rehearse and demonstrate existing capabilities as well as their tactics, techniques and procedures, this made the participating forces more effective. Such cooperation, he added, would improve their readiness, capability and capacity.
Beyond military strategies and equipment, the strongest message coming from this conference is one of unity and resilience, while the real stakes in Constanța remain deeply geopolitical. The Black Sea is a vital artery for the region’s economy and stability, and maintaining constant dialogue among allies is opening up new strategic avenues for cooperation. NATO allies and European partners are here to protect, support and guarantee a secure future on the Eastern Flank, Vice Admiral Anderson said. He stressed that the effort was about promoting security and stability in the critically important Black Sea region, not only for the nations in the area, but for the entire European theatre and for Europe’s prosperity. He said the allies were working to develop ways to continue protecting the Black Sea against the threats it faces, while promoting and supporting these efforts.
It is a clear and firm message of unity, stability and resilience from the Eastern Flank, where the partnership between Romania and the United States guarantees that the security of the Alliance is not something to be negotiated, but strengthened through concrete action and trusted partnerships. (EE)
