Ukraine has urged the NATO to deploy ships in the Sea of Azov amid tensions with Russia off Crimea.

Presidential Press Service Ukraine while quoting President Petro Poroshenko expressed hope that NATO countries stand ready to send their ships to the Sea of Azov to help Ukraine ensuring security of navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been deteriorating since Crimea was incorporated into Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum.