OREANDA-NEWS. NATO intends to assist its members in the fight against the new type of coronavirus pandemic and at the same time to contain Russia. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on the eve of the videoconference of the Alliance’s defense ministers.

"We see that Russia maintains a military presence along the borders of NATO, including in the Black Sea region, increases its military presence in Crimea, strengthens the Black Sea fleet", he said. The Secretary General also expressed the view that Russia continues to provide assistance to volunteers in the east of Ukraine. "We responded to this before the coronavirus pandemic, during the pandemic, and I expect this to continue after the pandemic", he said.

“Therefore, NATO intends to help its countries in the fight against coronavirus, but also to fulfill its key responsibilities to ensure the security of the alliance’s countries”, Stoltenberg said. He said that the alliance has strengthened its military presence in the Black Sea region, in particular the land and sea presence in Romania, and also works closely with partner countries in the region - Ukraine and Georgia.