“For NATO, the situation in the Black Sea is of great strategic importance,” TASS quoted him as saying.
Stoltenberg recalled that the three coastal countries of the Black Sea - Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey - are members of NATO.
According to him, Ukraine and Georgia, also coastal countries, are partners of the alliance.
He added that "the presence in the region is increasing." Stoltenberg noted that the presence of four NATO ships in the port of Odessa is a confirmation of how important the region is for NATO, and demonstrates support for Kiev.
Earlier, Belarus and the United States discussed NATO exercises near the Belarusian borders.