Russian jet collision prompts congressional calls for Black Sea policy

Two legislators are calling for the Biden administration To develop a strategy towards the Black Sea Region, one day after a Russian fighter-jet collided over the water with a drone from the United States.

Sens. Mitt Romney Jeanne Shaheen (D–NH) and Rand Paul (R-UT), reintroduced their bipartisan legislation Wednesday. It is aimed at “prevent the spread of further armed conflict in Europe by recognizing the Black Sea region as an arena of Russian aggression,” The Text This bill.

RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT COLLIDES OVER UNMANNED US DRONE

“As Vladimir Putin wages war in Ukraine, he has already proven his ambitions to extend Russia’s malign influence to the Black Sea region,” Shaheen is the chairwoman of Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, Regional Security Cooperation. “I’ve met with our partners in the region, and they echo the importance of developing a U.S. strategy toward the Black Sea so we can strengthen our alliances and enhance economic relations that are pivotal to staving off an increasingly belligerent Putin. As the U.S. continues to aid our Ukrainian partners on the frontlines, we need to look ahead and make investments in vulnerable areas where Russia is actively sowing discord and hoping to turn to next.”

Two Russian Su-27 planes dumped fuel in front and behind a U.S. Air Force Defense officials say that MQ-9 unmanned aircraft flew several times Tuesday morning, before one of them crashed into its propeller above the Black Sea, approximately 75 miles southwest from Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula.

The U.S. was forced into “essentially crash it into” According to Brig. According to Brig. Patrick Ryder, it is not clear if they will be able recover the water. Although this is the first time that a collision like this has occurred, it’s not unusual for Russian drone pilots to fly around U.S. aircraft.

The U.S. summoned Anatoly Antonov from Russia following the crash. “and the message was, don’t do this again,” John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator, said that Antonov had publicly denied the claim. Lynne Tracy, U.S. ambassador, to Russia, relayed similar information. “strong message” Ned Price, spokesperson at the State Department, stated that Ned Price was speaking on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“Russia’s recent provocation against a U.S. drone in the Black Sea underscores the need for a revamped strategy in the Black Sea region. We cannot leave it up to Putin—who chose to invade Ukraine and pursue other forms of aggression in the region—to define the rules of the Black Sea. It’s critical that the Biden administration develops a robust Black Sea strategy to strengthen the coordination between the U.S., NATO, and our Black Sea partners,” Romney stated.

Sens. Sens.