Approximately 1,700 soldiers from Romania, Bulgaria, France, Georgia, the United States and Ukraine will participate in a large military training exercise known as Spring Storm 18, Novinite reported March 5. The Romanian Navy will direct the exercise, which will take place in the Black Sea's international waters, and naval, air and ground forces will participate. Increased military cooperation in the Black Sea is one way for Eastern European countries to maintain autonomy from the European bloc .