Ukrainian defense Minister Andrei Taran and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the results of telephone conversation agreed to strengthen the Alliance’s presence in the Black sea. In addition, during the conversation the Minister of defence of Ukraine once again confirmed the policy of joining NATO, and called for increased cooperation with the military bloc. According to analysts, the North Atlantic Alliance in recent years has been active in the black sea region. The experts believe that the main purpose of this policy is to create constant tension on the borders of Russia.
The head of the Ukrainian defense Ministry Andrey Taran and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a telephone conversation agreed to strengthen presence “forces and means” in the Black sea. This was reported on the website of the defense Ministry of Ukraine.
“the Parties have agreed to increase the presence of forces and means, on land, at sea and in the airspace of the black sea region by increasing patrols in the air and presence of the ships of naval forces of the countries — members of the Alliance”, — stated in the message on the website.
During the meeting the sides discussed the situation in Eastern Ukraine and the Black sea. In their opinion, the situation in the black sea region continues to deteriorate due to the fact that Russia is stepping up in it “its military presence and changes the balance of power”.
In addition, Ukraine has expressed “interest in establishing a joint exchange of information about the situation in the region.” Kiev also invited member States of NATO “to join the national strategic exercises scheduled to be held in the South of Ukraine in autumn this year.”
In the Ukrainian defense Ministry stressed their commitment to “the implementation of the strategic course of the state for the acquisition of full membership of Ukraine in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization”. In addition, Taran thanked the Secretary General for NATO’s “steadfast position” of the Alliance in the “illegal annexation of Crimea and military aggression of the Russian Federation in the East of Ukraine” and welcomed the decision by the North Atlantic Council on the recognition of Ukraine as a partner with enhanced capabilities.
We will remind, Ukraine has received the status of a member of the Partnership for advanced features NATO on 12 June 2020. The Alliance then noted that Kiev gives greater access to NATO exercises, and programs to improve the compatibility of military forces, and provides more detailed opportunities for information exchange. It was stressed that this status is not related to the question of full membership of Ukraine in NATO.
RAM also stated that for effective use of the strategic dialogue with allies “to restore regular meetings of the Commission Ukraine — the NATO at level of Ministers”. The head of Ministry head of��RIL that Ukraine, as a reliable partner of the Alliance, will continue to provide forces and resources to “operations in crisis management under the leadership of NATO and the NATO response Force”.
the Alliance activity
In recent years, NATO has consistently strengthening ties with Ukraine. This is reflected in the number of active work on the territory of military advisers from member countries of the Alliance. So, in December 2017, the then Minister of defence of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak acknowledged that his Department provide services to almost 70 NATO military specialists.
In addition, Kiev is constantly involved in military exercises with the countries of the Alliance, including on its own territory. This year was the planned us-Ukrainian exercise Rapid Trident in 2020 and Sea Breeze — 2020, but had to be postponed because of the pandemic coronavirus. In the case of Sea Breeze — 2020, it was decided to confine the Maritime part of the exercise. In addition to the us-Ukrainian exercises in plans to appear on the Ukrainian-Romanian exercises Riverain 2020 and the Ukrainian-British Warrior Watcher — 2020.
At the same time, NATO ships regularly come into the Black sea. So, on July 7 it became known that three military ship Alliance arrived in the black sea waters. This was announced by Russian national defense control center.
We are talking about the mine-sweeping group of Greek supply base A470 Aliakmon, minesweepers of the Spanish Navy M-33 Tambre and the vessel Gaeta the Italian Navy. The Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation noted that the Russian black sea fleet monitors the activity of these ships.
Earlier, in June 2020, in the Black sea entered the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Porter. His actions followed the forces of the southern military district (SMD) of the Russian Federation.
Active in the region and NATO aircraft. In July, the press service of YUVO reported that the su-27 naval aviation of the black sea fleet was raised in the air to intercept the spy plane RC-135W Rivet Joint is the U.S. air force. After identifying the plane headed for removal from the border of Russia, without breaking it.
While in Kiev believe that NATO should more actively act in the black sea region. In may 2020, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine Vadim pristayko said that “Kyiv would like to see a greater presence of NATO and the USA” in the Black sea.
He noted that Ukraine and NATO should develop a “strategy of containment of Russia in the black sea region in the information, economic, legal and military plans.”
the Stimulus for Russia
Military expert Yuri Whips called the idea of increasing the NATO presence in the black sea region “questionable”, since NATO is present there in the person of the black sea countries — members of the Alliance: Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.
In relation to military courts nachimovsky States, regardless of their member��of nsta in the Alliance subject to the limitations spelled out in the Montreux Convention, which governs the passage of vessels through the Straits. This document, in particular, provides for certain limits on the tonnage of ships and the duration of their stay in the region.
According to Knutov, Ukraine needs to increase the presence of NATO in the Black sea, because its own fleet is a sad spectacle.
“with the exception of Soviet-built frigate “Hetman Sahaidachny” decent ships they have. The West sells them to the old NATO ships at a very low price. Their patch, embellish, and Ukrainian authorities with fanfare present it as the long-awaited super-weapon. However, it does not deceive: so efficient fleet is not created,” he said in comments to RT.
In turn, Deputy Director of the Institute of history and policy of the Moscow state pedagogical University, Vladimir Shapovalov in an interview with RT said that the NATO presence in the region and declared no gain “quite serious”.
“This is not a cause of anxiety in Russia, because NATO is the largest military Alliance in the world, unfriendly to us. Currently, the Russian borders are constantly held NATO exercises. The statement of Tara, in all likelihood, could mean intensification, including with the participation of Ukraine”, — said the analyst.
While the Whips noted that the constant activity of NATO in the Black sea and Ukraine is not the purpose of real military preparations and the creation of a “zone of discomfort” for Russia.
“NATO does not care about Ukraine. They consider it as a very good stimulus for Russia. They have to constantly create an uncomfortable situation on the borders of our country. There is such a practice: if held more or less large-scale exercises near the borders, the military of neighboring countries should react, because in theory no one can predict how they will turn out. So we have to raise troops to conduct unscheduled exercises that requires energy and costs,” he explained.
At the same time Whips believes that close cooperation with the Alliance, nor the enhanced program does not promise real Ukraine joining NATO.
“It’s more political support for the Kiev regime and its anti-Russian course. Due to this, the Ukrainian society creates the illusion that Ukraine joined NATO. But this, of course, deception. Ukraine is used only in a global confrontation with Russia. Kiev has the unenviable role”, — said Whips.
A similar position in this matter is held and Shapovalov.
“the Probability of inclusion of Ukraine and Georgia in NATO — zero. And real help in case of need, NATO they will not have. However, under the partnership they will be p��to Silat Ukrainian and Georgian soldiers in various hot spots to participate in the operations of the Alliance, they are there to protect the interests of the collective West,” — said Shapovalov.
According to Kotova, Russia in this situation has consistently advocated the maintenance of international security and predictability, which NATO military activity near Russian borders is not conducive.
“Russia has consistently opposed the establishment of NATO bases in Georgia and Ukraine. This is a strategic task. And, of course, we are enhancing our own troops is the main guarantee of our security,” said Whips.
The NATO presence in the black sea region, of course, is a threat to Russia, says Vladimir Shapovalov.
“This is a zone of vital interests of our country. So Moscow will always react harshly to any attempts by NATO to expand its presence here”, — concluded the analyst.
