On the eve of a meeting of defense ministers of member countries, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance is considering signals from Moscow regarding Ukraine with "cautious optimism", RIA Novosti reports.

"Signals are being given from Moscow that diplomatic work should continue, this gives grounds for cautious optimism," the alliance's secretary general said. At the same time, he stressed that NATO "does not yet see signs of de-escalation."

According to the Secretary General, at the meeting the NATO defense ministers intend to discuss "the development of the situation in the Black Sea region" together with Georgia and Ukraine.

Stoltenberg also pointed out that the alliance has not yet received a response from Russia to the US and NATO security proposals. According to him, NATO "would be happy with the answer and ready to sit down at the negotiating table to find a common solution."

bbabo.Net