Ukrainian authorities have decided to close their ports due to the Russian invasion. As an alternative, in 2023, Ukraine opened temporary routes in the Black Sea. Since the war in Ukraine began, this area has been crucial in discussions about global maritime trade in the region.
In this context, Russian communist deputy Denís Bulánov proposed changing the name of the Black Sea to "Russian Sea." Bulánov justified his proposal by arguing that the Black Sea has been known as Russian Sea for centuries, even with references in ancient chronicles.
In response to potential reactions from other countries with access to the Black Sea, such as Turkey, the deputy noted that this name change could be exclusively for Russia's domestic use, without seeking recognition from other countries for this modification.
On a similar note, the then President of the United States, Donald Trump, had promised to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "America's Gulf" in a political speech following his electoral victory. Trump reiterated his intent to "claim the place it deserves" as a nation.
The Black Sea is a strategic area where countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria converge. In line with Bulánov's proposal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the importance of using Russian names in official documents and maps, which supports the request to change the name of the Black Sea to its historical designation, "Russian Sea." This region has significant geopolitical relevance for the NATO alliance.
