Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran has invited NATO member states to join national strategic drills to be held in the country's south this fall.
The drills were discussed during recent phone talks between Taran and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 9, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service.
Read alsoUkraine's military considering several possible scenarios of Russian invasion
"The exchange of views on the security situation in eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea became an important aspect of the conversation. The parties agreed that the security situation in the Black Sea continues deteriorating over Russia's building up its military presence and changing the balance of forces," it said.
"The parties agreed to enhance the presence of forces and equipment on land, at sea and in the airspace of the Black Sea region by boosting patrolling in the air and stepping up the presence of ships of member states' navies," it added.
What is more, Taran expressed interest in establishing a joint exchange of information on the situation in the region.
He also invited the NATO Secretary General to pay an official visit to Ukraine.
