Russia responded to the 21st century “color revolutions” calling for freedom and democracy in Georgia and Ukraine by invading both Black Sea countries. Those revolutions and invasions have had transformative effects on the social and political fabric of Ukraine and Georgia. Thus, the perspectives of today’s youth on wars and political upheaval will have ample impact on their countries’ future. This panel discussion will bring together two Frontier Europe Initiative 2022 fellows to speak on these topics.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the Black Sea region as a linchpin in Moscow’s broader aggression against the West. U.S. diplomacy and its investments in the region are now being focused and reshaped into a strategic policy to strengthen the West and its Black Sea allies and partners. But success will depend on addressing significant regional vulnerabilities that have become all the more apparent since February.