In this file photo taken on Aug 23, 2020, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (right) attends the opening ceremony of the 6th International Military Technical Forum 'Army 2020' and Army Games in the military Patriot Park outside Moscow. (KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

MOSCOW - The United States and other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continue "provocative activities" in the airspace and waters of the Black Sea, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.

At the same time, Kiev sticks to its path to destabilize the situation in eastern Ukraine's Donbass region, Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry's Board.

The military and political situation in Russia's southwestern strategic direction remains tense largely due to attempts made by various countries to increase their military presence along Russia's southern and western borders, he said. 

ALSO READ: Report: UK warships to sail for Black Sea in May

Also on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy offered to meet Vladimir Putin in the conflict zone near the two countries’ border.

“Ukraine and Russia, despite their common past, look to the future differently,” Zelenskiy said in a video message on Facebook. “But this isn’t necessarily a problem - this is an opportunity. At the very least, an opportunity to stop the deadly mathematics of future military losses before it’s too late.”

There’s been no response to the invitation from Zelenskiy.

With inputs from Agencies