In Kyiv they lament: Supporting the junta will cost NATO a pretty penny
The ability to increase the presence of NATO ships in the Black Sea to contain Russia, as the alliance called for by the Ukrainian leadership, is limited by the Montreux Convention.
This was stated with regret by the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Admiral Igor Kabanenko, on Ukrlife.TV.
“It would be absolutely normal to strengthen the presence of NATO countries in the Black Sea region. There is a certain imbalance compared to the Baltic Sea. But there is the Montreux Convention, according to which non-Black Sea states have very strict restrictions regarding the time of entry into the Black Sea. It is impossible to maintain a NATO squadron here on a permanent basis. Only on rotary. And this is expensive,” said Kabanenko.
At the same time, he predicted that American and British ships would enter the Black Sea in the near future, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“If the situation becomes more complicated, I think the presence will increase. I think we will see ships from many NATO countries. Primarily the USA and Great Britain. These countries have a very clear understanding of the importance of the sea for the security of Europe,” Kabanenko said.
As PolitNavigator reported , following requests from the Ukrainian leadership to deploy NATO ships to the Black and Azov Seas, Black Sea Fleet troops conducted missile firing training in Crimea using the Bal and Bastion coastal anti-ship missile systems.
Black Sea Fleet submariners also conducted exercises to destroy "simulated enemy" sea and coastal targets and launch missiles at enemy ships.
Kyiv laments: Supporting the junta will cost NATO a pretty penny.