Ensuring a permanent presence of NATO warships in the Black Sea would be a strong signal of support for Ukraine from Western partners in response to Russia's aggressive actions, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said this in an interview with Politico.

"The response to Russia's aggressive actions should be a solidarity response from Ukraine, EU and NATO countries. Ensuring a permanent presence of Alliance warships in the Black Sea would be a very strong signal in support of Ukraine," the prime minister said.

According to the head of the government, a permanent build-up of the Russian military contingent near Ukrainian borders is one of the tools of the Kremlin's policy.

Denys Shmygal noted that Russia regularly demonstrates its military potential and seeks to derail Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

According to the Ukrainian prime minister, the Kremlin is interested not only in destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, but also in destabilizing the EU and NATO countries.

"Gas is already being used as a weapon not only against our state, but also against all of Europe. The situation around Nord Stream-2 and the reduction of the transit of "blue fuel" through Ukraine vividly confirm this thesis," he stressed.

According to the prime minister, Russia also uses other hybrid war tools against Ukraine and the West, including cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns.