The UK and the Black Sea Region: Moving from the Periphery to Centre-Stage

The UK has long-running strategic interests in the Black Sea region, connected to its wider international interests. However, until 2022, the region was not central to either UK interests or its views on international security and stability; Russia’s invasion of Ukraine clarified the criticality of the region for both UK and global stability, encompassing a wide range of risks and threats, from military attacks to great power competition, human rights, climate change and economic fragility. This chapter examines the UK’s changing approach to the region, which has become a key area of UK policy interest. It argues that the UK’s approach remains too reactive, responding to events in the short term rather than pursuing a well-thought-through, long-term strategy.