Stoltenberg: NATO ships to enter Black Sea in a few days to conduct exercises
"We are considering how we can build up our presence in the Black Sea. In a few days, NATO ships will enter the Black Sea to participate in the exercises. Therefore, we have substantially strengthened our presence, it is important to support Ukraine and regional security. This decision was commended by the defence ministers," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference following a two-day meeting of NATO ministers of defence.
He informed that on Thursday the defence ministers had an informal breakfast with Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak, which was organized on behalf of the British Secretary of State for Defence.
"We discussed the situation in and around Ukraine, including the situation in the Sea of Azov. The Allies expressed strong support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity and urged Russia to immediately release Ukrainian sailors and ships that had been captured in November. The Allies called on Ukraine to continue to carry out the reforms, including the implementation of the Venice Commission recommendations on the education law," the NATO Secretary General said.
He called the discussion, which took place with the participation of the Ukrainian minister Poltorak, "very good."
"The Allies clearly stated that Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine are unacceptable, as well as the annexation of Crimea, the continuation of attempts to destabilize Ukraine by the presence in Donbas, and the illegal capture of Ukrainian ships and sailors," Stoltenberg said.
He reminded that NATO provided Ukraine with political and practical support and estimated what else could be done.
As reported, on November 25, 2018, Russia committed direct military aggression against the Ukrainian Navy ships in the Kerch Strait and captured 24 Ukrainian military sailors.
All Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia declared that they were the prisoners of war. The international organizations and governments of many countries condemned the fact of Russian aggression and demanded that Russia must release Ukrainian sailors immediately and unconditionally.
