The head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Andrey Taran, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a telephone conversation agreed to strengthen the presence of “forces and means” in the Black Sea. This was reported on the website of the defense department of Ukraine.
“The parties agreed to strengthen the presence of forces and assets on land, sea and in the airspace of the Black Sea region by increasing patrols in the air and the presence of ships of the naval forces of the countries members of the alliance,” the website said in a statement.
During the conversation, the parties discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine and in the Black Sea. In their opinion, the situation in the Black Sea region continues to deteriorate due to the fact that Russia is building up "its military presence and changing the balance of forces."
- Warships participating in the US-Ukraine Sea Breeze exercise in 2018 in the Black Sea
- Reuters
- © US Navy
In addition, Ukraine expressed its "interest in establishing a joint exchange of information on the situation in this region." Kiev also invited NATO member states "to join the national strategic exercises planned for the south of Ukraine this fall."
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense emphasized the commitment "to implement the state’s strategic course towards acquiring Ukraine’s full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization." In addition, Taran thanked the NATO Secretary General for the “unshakable stance” of the alliance on the issue of “illegal annexation of Crimea and armed aggression of the Russian Federation in eastern Ukraine” and welcomed the decision of the North Atlantic Council to recognize Ukraine as an enhanced partner.
Recall that Ukraine received the status of a member of the NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partnership on June 12, 2020. The alliance then noted that this gives Kiev wider access to NATO exercises and programs to increase military compatibility of forces, and also provides more extensive opportunities for exchanging information. At the same time, it was emphasized that this status was in no way connected with the issue of full membership of Ukraine in NATO.
Taran also said that in order to effectively use the strategic dialogue with the Allies, "it is necessary to restore the regular meetings of the Ukraine-NATO Commission at the ministerial level." The head of the ministry assured that Ukraine, as a reliable partner of the alliance, will continue to provide forces and resources for "crisis management operations led by NATO and the NATO Response Force."
North Atlantic activity
In recent years, NATO has consistently strengthened ties with Ukraine. This is expressed, inter alia, in the active work on the territory of the country of military advisers from countries - members of the alliance. So, in December 2017, the then Minister of Defense of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak admitted that almost 70 NATO military specialists are being provided to his department.
In addition, Kiev is constantly participating in military exercises with the countries of the alliance, including on its own territory. The US-Ukraine Rapid Trident 2020 and Sea Breeze 2020 exercises were scheduled for this year alone, but they had to be rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In this case, in the case of Sea Breeze - 2020, it was decided to confine ourselves to the marine part of the exercises. In addition to the US-Ukrainian exercises, the plans include Ukrainian-Romanian exercises Riverain - 2020 and Ukrainian-British Warrior Watcher - 2020.
At the same time, NATO ships regularly enter the Black Sea. So, on July 7, it became known that three alliance warships arrived in the Black Sea. This was reported by the Russian National Center for Defense Management.
We are talking about a mine-sweeping group of the Greek supply base A470 Aliakmon, minesweeper of the Spanish Navy M-33 Tambre and the ship Gaeta of the Italian Navy. The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the Black Sea Fleet monitors the activity of these ships.
Earlier, in June 2020, the USS Porter destroyer entered the Black Sea. His actions were tracked by the forces of the Southern Military District (Southeast Military District) of the Russian Federation.
NATO aircraft are also active in this region. In July, the press service of the Southern Military District reported that the Su-27 fighters of the Black Sea Fleet naval aviation were lifted into the air to intercept the reconnaissance aircraft RC-135W Rivet Joint US Air Force. After identification, the aircraft headed for removal from the state border of Russia, without violating it.
- RC-135W Rivet Joint
- © US Air Force
At the same time, Kiev believes that NATO should be even more active in the Black Sea region. In May 2020, Vadim Pristayko, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, said that “Kiev would like to see a larger presence of the NATO and US Navy” in the Black Sea.
He noted that Ukraine and NATO need to develop a "strategy of containing Russia in the Black Sea region in the information, economic, legal and military plans."
Irritant for Russia
Military expert Yuri Knutov called the idea of increasing NATO’s presence in the Black Sea region “dubious”, since the North Atlantic bloc is already present there in the face of the Black Sea states - members of the alliance: Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.
Concerning the military courts of non-Black Sea states, regardless of their membership in the alliance, the restrictions are laid down in the Montreux Convention, which regulates the passage of ships through the Black Sea straits. This document, in particular, provides for certain limits on the tonnage of ships and their time in the region.
According to Knutov, Ukraine is demanding an increase in NATO's presence in the Black Sea, since its own fleet is a sad sight.
“With the exception of the Soviet-built frigate Getman Sagaidachny, they have no decent ships. The West is selling them old NATO ships at a very low price. They are patched, tinted, and the Ukrainian authorities pompously present this as a long-awaited superweapon. However, this is not fooled by experts: a battle-worthy fleet is not created, ”the analyst said in a comment to RT.
In turn, Vladimir Shapovalov, deputy director of the Institute of History and Politics at the Moscow State Pedagogical University, said in an interview with RT that NATO’s presence in the region is “quite serious” without the announced strengthening.
“This cannot but cause concern among Russia, because NATO is the largest military alliance in the world, unfriendly towards us. At present, NATO exercises are constantly being held at Russian borders. This statement of Taran, in all likelihood, may mean their intensification, including with the participation of Ukraine, ”the analyst said.
At the same time, Knutov notes that NATO’s constant activity in the Black Sea and Ukraine is not aimed at real military preparations, but at creating a “zone of discomfort” for Russia.
“NATO doesn't give a damn about Ukraine. They see her as a very successful stimulus for Russia. They need to constantly create an uncomfortable environment on the borders of our country. There is such a practice: if more or less large-scale exercises are being held near the borders, then the military of neighboring states should react, because in theory no one can predict what they will turn out to be. Therefore, we have to raise our troops, conduct unplanned exercises, which requires effort and expense, ”he explained.
At the same time, Knutov believes that neither close cooperation with the alliance, nor an expanded partnership program promise Ukraine real accession to NATO.
“This is more political support for the Kiev regime and its anti-Russian course. Due to this, the Ukrainian society creates the illusion that Ukraine has practically joined NATO. But this, of course, is a hoax. Ukraine is only used in a global confrontation with Russia. Kiev has an unenviable role, ”Knutov said.
Shapovalov adheres to a similar position in this matter.
“The likelihood of Ukraine, like Georgia, joining NATO is zero. And if necessary, NATO will not provide real assistance to them. However, as part of the partnership, they will send Ukrainian and Georgian soldiers to various hot spots to participate in the operations of the alliance, so that they defend the interests of the collective West, ”said Shapovalov.
According to Knutov, Russia in this situation has consistently advocated maintaining international security and predictability, which NATO military activity near Russian borders does not contribute to.
“Russia has consistently opposed the creation of NATO bases in Georgia and Ukraine. This is a strategic challenge. And, of course, we are engaged in strengthening our own troops - this is the main guarantee of our security, ”Knutov said.
The presence of NATO in the Black Sea region, of course, is a threat to Russia, said Vladimir Shapovalov.
“This is a zone of vital interests of our country. Therefore, Moscow will always react harshly to any attempts by NATO to expand its presence here, ”the analyst concluded.