Kuleba calls for greater NATO presence in Black Sea region
Russia's occupation of Crimea has destroyed the security situation in the Black Sea region, but cooperation between Ukraine and NATO countries can restore the security balance in the region, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
He said this at the Warsaw Security Forum on Tuesday, October 5, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"Russia's occupation of Crimea not only destroyed Ukraine's territorial integrity but also affected the security situation in the Black Sea region, striking a blow to the international order," Kuleba said.
He stressed that only greater NATO presence in the Black Sea region and close cooperation between the countries of the region will help restore the security balance.
He added that close cooperation between the countries of the region will also protect trade in the Black Sea region.
Kuleba also drew attention to Belarus' aggressive actions towards its neighbors. He recalled that the Lublin Triangle was created last year with the participation of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania. It was planned to invite Belarus to join the union, but now it has become impossible.
He stressed that Ukraine has more than 1,000 kilometers of the border with Belarus, but it never expected a threat in this direction. However, now this threat has become real.
According to him, Ukraine is now trying to strengthen the security of its own border, taking into account the artificially created migration crisis by Belarus in relation to Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. Kuleba said that the Russian-Belarusian integration program would take five to seven years. Therefore, the democratic world must start a "big conversation" about a new strategy for Belarus, he said.
"We must involve the EU, NATO and Ukraine in this issue - all those who care about the security of this region, because the security situation in Central Europe will change and it is a threat to all," Kuleba said.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau earlier said at the Warsaw Security Forum that so far there is no indication that the United States is ready to leave Europe militarily or politically, especially the Eastern European region.
The Warsaw Security Forum is taking place on October 5-6.
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