23 April 2021, in the framework of a working visit to Bucharest, Romania, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba took part in consultations of Ukraine and Georgia with NATO’s Eastern Flank partners – Romania, Poland and Turkey.

The foreign ministers of the five states discussed the issues of regional security in the context of Russia’s aggressive actions, the prospects for NATO enlargement and the support of the Allies.

Allies on NATO's Eastern Flank - Romania, Poland and Turkey - reaffirmed the necessity to maintain a stable and secure space in NATO's immediate neighborhood and noted the importance of dialogue with Ukraine and Georgia, in particular on security in the Black Sea.

“NATO’s key partners - Ukraine and - Georgia are making significant contributions to strengthening the Alliance’s Eastern Flank and maintaining stability in the Black Sea region. I am convinced that our unity is the most effective deterrent to Russia and its deeply destructive actions in the region,” – stated the head of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Dmytro Kuleba informed his partners about Russia’s systematic aggravation of the security situation in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and in Crimea against the background of Moscow’s reluctance to reaffirm its commitment to the ceasefire.

The Minister drew the attention of the partners to the fact that the current escalation on the part of the Russian Federation is systemic and the largest in recent years and poses a threat to the European security system and the Black Sea region. He thanked his partners for their decisive and timely response to Moscow’s escalating tensions, which, among other things, influenced the Kremlin’s decision to begin of the withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine drew special attention of the participants of the meeting to Russia’s blockade of the Kerch Strait, which grossly violates the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. According to him, such actions not only pose a threat to Ukraine’s national security, but also undermine economic stability in the Sea of Azov region.

The Minister called for strengthening of the cooperation between the naval forces of Ukraine, Georgia and the Black Sea member states of NATO.

Dmytro Kuleba spoke about preparations for the inaugural summit of the Crimea Platform, a Ukrainian initiative aimed at consolidating international efforts to deoccupy Crimea. He confirmed the invitation to the partners to participate in the summit and further work of the Platform.

The parties discussed ways to deepen cooperation with NATO in the context of Ukraine's and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.