Organization and Implementation of International Round Tables in Romania on Security Issues in the Black Sea Region and the Specifics of Hybrid Warfare

April – May 2019: Organization and Implementation of International Round Tables in Romania on Security Issues in the Black Sea Region and the Specifics of Hybrid Warfare

During April – May 2019, two international round tables were organized and held in the Romanian cities of Constanța and Bucharest.

On May 20, 2019, in Constanța, Romania, the International Round Table titled "Security Threats in the Black Sea Region: The Face of Euxine Pontus in the Post-Crimean Geopolitical Paradigm" took place. Experts discussed security issues in the Black Sea region, particularly related to Russian aggression and the threats posed to international order by its hybrid attacks.

On May 21, 2019, in Bucharest, Romania, another international round table was held under the title "Hybrid Aggression as a New Form of Foreign Policy: Five Years of International Resistance Against Russia's Occupation of Ukrainian Territories." Ukrainian and Romanian experts examined security challenges in the Black Sea region, focusing on Russian aggression and hybrid threats to international stability.

Organizers and Partners

The international round tables were organized by:

• NGO "Center for Regional Cooperation 'Dialogue'" (Chernivtsi, Ukraine)
• NGO "Center for Political Narratives of Democracy" (Chernivtsi, Ukraine)
• Charitable Foundation "Public Resources and Initiatives" (Chernivtsi, Ukraine)

In partnership with:

• Geopolitical Association "Ion Conea" (Bucharest, Romania)
• Association "Black Sea House" (Constanța, Romania)

With the support of:

• Sector 1 City Hall of Bucharest
• Museum of National History and Archaeology of Constanța (Romania)

Participants and Key Contributions

The events brought together Ukrainian and Romanian scholars and experts, including:

• Serhiy Fedunyak
• Yevhen Mahda
• Serhiy Hakman
• Oleksandr Rusnak
• Dorin Popescu
• Vasile Similianu
• Marian Zidar
• Marina Cojoc

During the round tables, the book of Yevhen Mahda, a leading expert on hybrid threats, was presented. Additionally, a book about the Ilovaisk tragedy was introduced by Roman Zinenko, a former marine and volunteer fighter of the "Dnipro-1" battalion, who survived Ilovaisk and compiled first-hand accounts of this war crime committed by Russia.

A documentary film about the Ilovaisk tragedy was also shown.

Representatives of the NGO "Berehynia" (Dnipro), mothers of Ukrainian prisoners of war and missing persons, made an appeal to the participants, calling for international support in securing the release of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia and searching for those missing in action.