Russia promises to respond to NATO actions in the Black Sea
Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Grushko, told journalists that Russia has a negative perceptioinof NATO’s increasing activity in the Black Sea, and will take the necessary response measures, reports TASS.
“We will, of course, take all the necessary measures to neutralize the threats associated with NATO’s increased activity in the region,” said Grushko. According to him, NATO’s actions undermine regional stability.
He added that security in the region should be ensured through the cooperation of the Black Sea littoral states. Russia is monitoring NATO’s plans to expand its presence in the Black Sea and will respond “accordingly”, stressed the deputy minister.
At the beginning of April, the NATO countries agreed on a package of measures against Russia in the Black Sea in order to support Ukraine and Georgia. The North Atlantic Alliance plans to help them train the coast guard and naval forces, exchange information and conduct joint exercises.
In addition, NATO plans to increase the number of Alliance’s ships in the Black Sea “to guarantee Ukrainian ships safe passage through the Kerch Strait”.