Russia has expressed strong concerns over any plans to establish a permanent presence of NATO warships in the Black Sea, viewing it as a significant threat amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This statement came from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov during a conference call discussing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s new maritime security strategy.
Peskov emphasized that the concentrated presence of NATO ships, particularly from Bulgaria and Romania, two coastal states within the alliance, poses a serious threat to Russia, especially considering the current circumstances. He assured that Russia will take all necessary measures to safeguard its security.
Zelenskiy has explicitly outlined the need to counter Russian naval dominance in the Black Sea, aiming to ensure a balanced presence. Earlier, Zelenskiy signed a decree enacting the National Security and Defense Council’s decision on Ukraine’s maritime security strategy.
In contrast to its concerns about NATO presence, Russia has commended Turkey’s management of the Black Sea situation. Peskov acknowledged that under the Montreux Convention, which regulates maritime traffic in the region, Turkey holds the authority as administrator, controlling the presence of non-regional states.
