Increased NATO Presence in Black Sea is a Threat: Russia

Previously, Ukrainian President Zelensky issued a decree to facilitate the permanent presence of NATO forces in the Black Sea.

On Thursday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia views the increased presence of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in the Black Sea as a threat and will take all necessary measures to ensure its national security.

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“The concentrated presence of NATO ships, considering also both Bulgaria and Romania, the coastal states that are members of the alliance… poses an additional threat to the Russian Federation, especially considering the direct involvement of NATO states in the conflict around Ukraine,” he noted.

Peskov’s comments came following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest decree on a new maritime security strategy. The decree outlines Kiev’s strategy for ensuring security in the Black Sea and contains measures aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s naval forces, including the permanent presence of NATO forces in the Black Sea.

“Zelenskiy has spoken about the need to ensure that the Russian Navy does not dominate the Black Sea… he signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council’s decision on the country’s maritime security strategy,” outlet First Post reported.

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 95 prisoners from each side who were captured during their ongoing conflict.

The United Arab Emirates mediated in the swap of prisoners, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The freed Russian soldiers will be taken to Moscow for medical treatment and rehabilitation in the ministry’s medical facilities.

Previously in late May and June, Russia and Ukraine conducted two rounds of prisoner swaps, freeing 75 and 90 military personnel from each side, respectively.