President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the aggravation of the security situation in Donbas.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a very dangerous tendency to increase the number of ceasefire violations by the Russian occupation forces and the number of Ukrainian defenders killed," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He also briefed Jens Stoltenberg on Russia's continued accumulation of troops near Ukraine's borders and on their increased readiness for offensive action.

The President thanked the Secretary General for the Alliance's attention to the security situation around Ukraine and called on NATO members to pay more attention to security issues in the Black Sea and to strengthen their military presence in the Black Sea region.

"Such a permanent presence should be a powerful deterrent to Russia, which continues the large-scale militarization of the region and hinders merchant shipping," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President of Ukraine stressed that the most urgent issue in relations with NATO for Ukraine was the possibility of obtaining the NATO Membership Action Plan.

“We are committed to reforming our army and defense sector, but reforms alone will not stop Russia. NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbas. Ukraine's MAP will be a real signal for Russia,” the President said.

Office of the President of Ukraine