Ukraine Welcomes All Formats of Strengthening NATO’s Presence in Black Sea Region

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in the virtual conference “Road to Warsaw Security Forum” on 17 November.

During the panel discussion on the Black Sea region security, a moderator asked Kuleba whether Ukraine aspires to obtain a NATO Membership Action Plan.

“The only alternative to Membership Action Plan for Ukraine is Ukraine’s NATO membership,” the minister stressed.

As Kuleba explained, most Ukrainians support Ukraine’s accession to NATO and this support is growing from year to year. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, NATO’s eastern flank should cooperate as actively as possible with Ukraine and Georgia which seek to become members of the Alliance and ensure the security of Europe, in particular of the Black Sea region.

“We all are natural Black Sea allies. Ukraine will welcome all instruments and formats of strengthening NATO’s presence in the Black Sea region which will also include more active involvement of Ukraine and Georgia,” he said.

Kuleba also believes that Ukraine’s involvement in the Bucharest Nine format in a manner acceptable to all parties could contribute to the further development of Central Europe and strengthen the security of the Black Sea region.

“We need to view the Black Sea as an area of our shared responsibility. Regardless of coast length, navy capabilities or trade volume,” he said.

Kuleba also informed the audience about the threats of growing militarisation of the temporarily occupied Crimea and paid special attention to the possible deployment of nuclear weapons on the peninsula by Russia.

Natalia Tolub