Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine calls on NATO to secure Black Sea

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said the NATO alliance must take action to secure the Black Sea. Kuleba also called on the alliance to integrate its defenses with Ukraine’s.

During a Black Sea conference in Bucharest on Thursday, Kuleba stressed the importance of the Black Sea for peace and stability in Europe in his video remarks. Both Russia and Ukraine rely on trade through the Black Sea for food exports. Moscow threatened to block Ukraine’s exports with its Black Sea blockade, but a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey kept the ports open.

“The Black Sea is instrumental for making the whole of Europe peaceful and future-oriented,” said Kuleba. “Sadly, it is also a showcase of how rapidly things can deteriorate if one neglects threats. It’s time to turn the Black Sea into what the Baltic Sea has become: a sea of NATO.”

“We need to address the common Russia problem together,” said Kuleba. “For instance, I support the expert idea to integrate the air and missile defense systems of Ukraine with the ones of the Black and Baltic Sea NATO allies.”

NATO deputy secretary general Mircea Geoana did not directly respond to Kuleba’s comments but said that the alliance has stepped up its presence in the Black Sea region. Geoana added that a joint task force with the European Union has also been formed to deal with critical infrastructure. Geoana then called on the countries in the Black Sea region to “adopt and be active in this new format” and stressed the importance of securing its infrastructure.

On the same day, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal welcomed the continued support from the United States during a visit by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen while also reiterating Kyiv’s commitment to fighting corruption in the country. Shmyhal also said that it was important that Ukraine start its reconstruction this year, saying that Kyiv has identified a priority funding gap of $14 billion that is needed this year.

Washington has provided significant support for Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion in February last year. The US is also poised to provide additional support in the coming months aside from humanitarian and security aid, said Yellen.