NATO will help Ukraine to restore the naval forces

The NATO assessment and advisory group, which arrived in Odessa the day before, is developing a pilot project to restore the naval forces of Ukraine. After the annexation of the Crimea, a significant part of the Ukrainian warships was on the territory of Russia, although the parties agreed on the transfer of ships.

After a few months, the ships that promised to return to Ukraine were handed over to the Crimean authorities. Russia left on the peninsula combat-ready vessels of the Ukrainian naval forces, refusing to transfer them to Odessa because of the hostilities in the Donbas.

NATO representatives are discussing in Odessa models of development of the naval forces of Ukraine, as well as the parameters, content and stages of their restoration, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reports. The corresponding draft is coordinated by the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

After arrival, representatives of the NATO delegation visited the flagship of the Ukrainian fleet, the frigate Hetman Sahaidachny.

Before the end of the visit of the NATO assessment and advisory group, the main priorities for Kiev’s cooperation with the North Atlantic alliance in developing and restoring the capabilities of the naval forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be determined.

Against this background, Russia promised to strengthen its military group in Crimea, based on the fact that “NATO countries have recently been increasing their activity near Russian borders.”