Allies upping support for Ukraine, becoming more vigilant in Black Sea region - Stoltenberg

Allies are stepping up support for Ukraine and increasing NATO's vigilance in the Black Sea region.

That’s according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Alliance’s press service.

“Russia bears full responsibility for its dangerous and escalatory actions in the Black Sea region. Russia must stop weaponising hunger, and threatening the world’s most vulnerable people with food instability. Russia’s actions also pose substantial risks to the stability of the Black Sea region, which is of strategic importance to NATO. Allies are stepping up support to Ukraine and increasing our vigilance. We remain ready to defend every inch of Allied territory from any aggression,” Stoltenberg said.

Allies welcomed the continued efforts of Türkiye to revitalise the grain deal, and the efforts of other Allies – including Bulgaria and Romania – as well as the European Union and the United Nations to enable the continued export of Ukrainian grain by land and sea. Allies also made clear that they would continue to provide Ukraine with major military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

The allies also confirmed that they are stepping up surveillance and reconnaissance in the Black Sea region, in particular with maritime patrol aircraft and drones.

As reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, at Kyiv's request, convened a meeting of the newly created Ukraine-NATO Council on July 26 to consult on the latest actions of the Russian Federation and discuss the transportation of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea routes.

Photo: Ukrainian President’s Office