NATO Ministers approve measures to counter Russia in Black Sea

NATO Foreign Ministers met in Washington D.C. this week to discuss their relations with Russia, progress in the fight against terrorism, and efforts to ensure fairer burden sharing as the military alliance toasted its 70th birthday.

The ministers, as expected, approved a new package of measures to expand NATO's presence in the Black Sea, and strengthen support to aspiring members Georgia and Ukraine, with a focus on intelligence gathering and stepping up training for both countries' navies, TURAN's Washington D.C. correspondent reports.

Both Georgia and Ukraine have been involved in conflicts with Russia, which recently seized three Ukrainian ships during a standoff with Kyiv. "We will maintain our focus and our presence in this vital region," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters.

Asked if NATO was provoking Russia by considering membership for Ukraine and Georgia, Stoltenberg said that "big powers" cannot dictate terms to others.

"As soon as you accept that that's a provocation against Russia, then you accept that Russia has the right to decide what neighbors can do," he said.

Slamming Moscow for its continued use of force and unbridled violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), Secretary General said the Kremlin was following its pattern of destabilizing behavior. NATO allies, he said, are preparing for a world without the INF.

Washington already threatened to leave the treaty earlier this year because Russia had allegedly violated the terms of it.

"Vladimir Putin harbors dark dreams of imperialism - this is evident from his invasions of Georgia and Ukraine, and meddling in Syria and now in Venezuela. He wants to split our alliance and weaken our democratic resolve," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters.

"We must adapt our alliance to confront emerging threats," he added, closing two days of talks in Washington.

The U.S.-led military pact will also adapt to face an increased threat posed by China even as European allies work to counter Russia"s activities.

Alex Raufoglu

Washnton D.C.