The issue of the presence of Russian forces in the Georgian regions of Abhkazia and South Ossetia was discussed on Thursday at the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence.

"Today, we met with our close partners Ukraine and Georgia.

We addressed the continued threat of Russian aggression.The deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea region.And NATO’s strong political and practical support for both countries.

NATO and Allies are helping Ukraine boost its ability to defend itself.Self-defence is a right enshrined in the UN Charter.And Allies are helping Ukraine to uphold that right.

Including with trainers and military equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces.Cyber and intelligence expertise.And with significant financial support.

We also discussed the presence of Russian forces in the Georgian regions of Abhkazia and South Ossetia.

And the vote of the Russian Duma recommending the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.We all agree that would be a further blatant violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.And of the Minsk agreements, undermining the efforts to find a political solution in the Normandy format," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence.