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Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said the Bucharest Nine countries are well aware of what “spheres of influence” are, as they had been under Soviet occupation in the past.
That’s according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
Kuleba took part in a NATO ministerial meeting of the Bucharest Nine at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu. This was the first participation of the Ukrainian foreign minister in events of this format, the statement said.
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian participated in the meeting as a special guest.
Kuleba informed the participants in detail about a build-up of Russian troops near the state border and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
All ministers agreed that Russia’s aggressive actions pose a threat to the security not only of Ukraine but also of other Central European countries and the Euro-Atlantic area in general.
“The countries of the Bucharest Nine all know too well what ‘spheres of influence’ are as they have been under Soviet occupation in the past. Today, it is in our common interest to do our utmost to prevent Russia from regaining its sphere of influence in modern Europe. Our unity and firmness of positions are able to protect security in Europe,” Kuleba said.
He said he was convinced that it is time for the Euro-Atlantic community to seize the initiative in discussions on European security. It is unacceptable when a country, which carried out armed aggression and occupation of Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, carries out cyberattacks, kills political opponents in NATO and the EU, spreads disinformation and undermines economic and financial stability, demands security guarantees from others, Kuleba said.
“Instead, it is the Euro-Atlantic community that should ask the Russian Federation such questions. When will Russia explain to all of us how it understands its own commitment not to strengthen its security at the expense of the security of others, including Ukraine?” the minister asked.
In this context, Ukraine and its partners coordinated steps to implement a comprehensive package to deter Russia from a new wave of aggression, which includes political, economic and security dimensions.
A number of the Bucharest Nine countries said that at the request of Ukraine, they are preparing solutions that will help strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, cyber defense and economic stability.
The B9 format, created at the initiative of the presidents of Romania and Poland in November 2015, covers the countries of NATO’s eastern flank. In addition to these two countries, B9 includes Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Read also: Ukraine Says Russian Buildup ‘Not Sufficient’ For Invasion, Urges West To Finalize Sanctions
