Russian Deputy
Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that NATO's activities in the Black Sea
only undermine regional stability.
MOSCOW, April 13.
/TASS/. Russia closely follows NATO’s military planning in the Black Sea region
and is set to respond in kind to the Alliance’s actions, Russian Deputy Foreign
Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the
27th Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.
"Definitely
negative," he said when asked about Russia’s attitude to NATO’s increased
activity in the Black Sea.
"Their
activities in the Black Sea region cannot add security, they are just
undermining regional stability. We will definitely take every precaution to
neutralize the threats related to increased NATO activity in that region,"
he noted.
"We are closely
following how the Alliance will be planning to strengthen its presence in the
region, and we will respond in kind," he continued. "Our deep belief
is that security in that region should be, first and foremost, ensured through
cooperation among Black Sea littoral states. There are all required instruments
for doing so," Grushko said.
In recent months,
NATO has increased military presence in the Black Sea. On April 9-13, NATO’s
Sea Shield 2019 exercise is being held in the region. Naval ships and aircraft
from the United States, Bulgaria, Greece, Canada, the Netherlands, Romania and
Turkey, in cooperation with representatives from Georgian and Ukrainian forces,
are taking part in the drills.
Source: ITAR-TASS
14-04-2019
