Russian aggression in Ukraine has caused a large-scale humanitarian crisis and created security threats for all countries of the Black Sea basin, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said.

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov took part in the virtual meeting with the colleague ministers organised by the Turkish side. Minister of Defence of Turkey Hulusi Akar, Minister of Defence of Bulgaria Dragomir Zakov, Minister of Defence of Georgia Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Defence of Mariusz Błaszczak and Minister of Defence of Romania Vasile Dîncu took part in the meeting, the website of the Ministry of Defense reported.

"Russia’s invasion has caused a colossal humanitarian crisis and created direct security threats to all states in the Black Sea region. Safety of international navigation is undermined. Russia is creating provocations against civilian vessels. Some of them are blocked in Ukrainian ports and have already been attacked by Russia, there are victims. The Russian Navy throws into the sea mines seized in Sevastopol, which belonged to the Ukrainian Navy until 2014. De facto, it is an attempt to commit terrorist acts against civilian vessels, " Reznikov said.

The Minister also informed the participants of the meeting about the situation at the front.

"Particular emphasis was placed on the situation in Mariupol, where Russian troops caused a humanitarian catastrophe," he said.

The meeting in such a format, when partners from Ukraine and Georgia were involved in discussing regional problems with four NATO countries, has been held for the first time.