Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli has said that Russia is seen as the main threat to the Black Sea region, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Speaking at the meeting of the international roundtable in Kyiv, he said that the European Union understands that it needs to strengthen relations with Russia and improve cooperation. However, in 2014, the relations were almost interrupted when Russia invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea and provided very serious support to the so-called ”separatist forces” in eastern Ukraine, he said.
According to Mingarelli, today Russia is the main strategic challenge and a threat in the Black Sea region.
He said that the annexation of Crimea became the main means that helped the Russian Federation strengthen its military presence in the Black Sea region, which causes serious concern of the European Union.
Earlier, NATO allies plan to strengthen their presence in the Black Sea in response to Russia`s actions.
