The fate of the port city of Odessa is crucial in view of addressing the long-term issue of Ukraine’s access to global sea lanes of communication. The Ministry of Defence emphasised today the strategic importance of who will control the North-West Black Sea.

Basil Germond discusses (via E-IR) the maritime dimension of the Ukraine war. Whereas traditional naval power is limited by the need to avoid escalation, collective and civilian seapower plays an important role in supporting the effort of maritime nations to oppose Russia.