Restricted influence over the Black Sea: the limitations of the European Union’s role

Abstract

The Black Sea has been an important region for the international actors to consider with its countries with diverse backgrounds, complicated relations, and attempts to its region-building. European Union has been involved in Black Sea dynamics, yet the effectiveness of its role in the region is questionable. This study aims to show European Union’s limitations on a more significant role in the Black Sea region. The article explains three main limitations: seeing its role mainly from a trade perspective, the clashing interests of several international actors, and differences among member states. At first, the article focuses on European Union’s involvement in the Black Sea to acknowledge these limitations. The specific focus on the Russian-Ukrainian war provides a fresh look at the European Union’s role. How these limitations are reflected in this context can give a chance to the European Union for a more significant role while presenting new challenges to tackle. However, this study argues that current European Union policies do not provide a comprehensive approach. The article suggests that having a security dimension in its Black Sea policies, establishing more comprehensive relations with other international actors, and providing unanimity among member states about the Black Sea policies can help the European Union to overcome its limitations.