The issues were raised during a video conference dedicated to considering the current state and prospects of Ukraine-NATO relations, including civil-military cooperation in countering COVID-19.

The Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko noted that Ukraine and NATO should develop a strategy to deter Russia in the Black Sea area in information, economic, legal and military terms. In addition, Ukraine would like to see a greater presence of NATO and the US naval forces in the Black Sea.

"Security in the Black Sea area is of paramount importance to Ukraine, as well as to NATO and other allies. While implementing the Black Sea Package proposed by the Alliance, we would like to focus on strengthening our Navy, cybersecurity, and raising the awareness of our partners about the situation in the region," Vadym Prystaiko emphasized.

Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Ukraine's active participation in the Alliance's activities aimed at overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.

"Ukraine is ready to join international efforts to develop universal measures for the civilian, military and economic spheres in order to overcome the effects of the pandemic and mitigate the economic consequences of quarantine restrictions. Moving towards NATO membership, Ukraine is happy to help our partners in the field of strategic air transport. Ukrainian planes are engaged in the delivery of medical cargo under the SALIS program," said Vadym Prystaiko.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that a large-scale disinformation campaign of the Russian Federation poses danger during the pandemic.

"Everyone is concerned about the spread of various conspiracy theories in the media, which aim to weaken the ability of NATO and EU countries to respond together to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Such purposeful actions cause additional damage to the society, which has already suffered significant shocks due to the crisis," Vadym Prystaiko summed up.

The video conference on May 5 gathered heads of diplomatic missions of NATO member states in Ukraine, the NATO Mission in Ukraine with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrii Taran.