NATO foreign ministers approved a number of measures aimed at countering Russia in the Black Sea region, AP reported.

In a meeting in Washington to mark the 70th anniversary of NATO, the ministers agreed to provide Georgia and Ukraine with increased maritime cooperation.

NATO also renewed demands for Russia to end its "annexation of Crimea, release Ukrainian sailors and ships it seized in a confrontation last year in the Sea of Azov and respect the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appealed for the allies to stand together to confront “great power” challenges from Russia, China and Iran.

“We have rightly sought peace through strength here at NATO,” Pompeo said. “We must continue to do so, especially in this new era of great power competition from Russia, from China, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”