Key Points

• In the aftermath of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Wales in September 2014, the Obama administration pledged $1 billion to assist Allies on the eastern front. This was in response to Russian initiatives and our Allies’ requests for increased U.S. presence. 
• A potential response could be the introduction of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities around the Black Sea. 
• Given the increasing concern over the strategic importance and therefore vulnerability of the areas bordering the Black Sea, such as Odessa, Transnistria, and the Danube Delta, this asymmetric response from the United States not only would add a less escalatory pressure on Russian interests in the area but also could alleviate some of the concerns of some NATO members.