The West, led by the United States, wants to ensure its long-term presence in the Black Sea and along its perimeter to the detriment of Russia's legitimate interests, Russian presidential aide and Chairman of the Russian Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev said.
"Historical facts show that pushing Russia away from the Black Sea shores has traditionally been viewed as one of the key tasks in Anglo-Saxon policy. And today, the collective West, led by the United States, is making plans to establish its own long-term presence in the Black Sea and along its perimeter to the detriment of our country's legitimate interests," Patrushev said at a meeting with the command of the Russian Navy and the Black Sea Fleet during his working visit to Crimea.