NATO to strengthen Russia's deterrence in Black and Baltic Seas - vice admiral

NATO is working to strengthen defense capabilities and deter potential Russian aggression in the Black and Baltic Sea region amid Russia's ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine.

Vice-Admiral Jeffrey Hughes, Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability Development, Supreme Allied Command Transformation, said this in a comment to Ukrinform.

"Obviously, the Black Sea is a very meaningful set of problems that we are currently dealing with," the admiral said, commenting on NATO's current deterrence strategy in the Black Sea, as well as its potential changes in the future.

He said that he could not go into the details of this strategy at the moment for obvious reasons. However, he added, the concept as a whole boils down to how best to ensure compliance with the international order and guarantee the free and open flow of trade in the Black Sea, as well as the implementation of international conventions.

At the same time, he confirmed that NATO had gained more opportunities to deter potential Russian aggression in the Baltic Sea region after Sweden and Norway joined the North Atlantic Alliance.

"It just demonstrates how much stronger we are with our great allies helping us do what we have to do to achieve our common goal, which is to make sure that the rules-based international order works," the admiral said.

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