The Kremlin announced on Thursday that Russia will consider any plans for a permanent NATO presence in the Black Sea a threat given the alliance's role in the Ukraine conflict.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin's spokesman, made this comment when reporters asked him on a conference phone about the new maritime security policy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy spoke about the importance of ensuring that the Russian Navy doesn't dominate the Black Sea.

Peskov said that the presence of NATO ships, which are concentrated in coastal states like Bulgaria and Romania (members of NATO), is a threat to Russia, particularly at this time.

"Of Course, Russia will take the necessary measures to secure its own security." Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Writing by Andrew Osborn Editing by Andrew Osborn