MADRID

Spain is sending two warships to the Black Sea earlier than planned for a NATO exercise, Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced Thursday. 

Robles told reporters that the Blas de Lezo and Meteoro will arrive within three or four days.

She said Spain is also considering deploying fighter jets to Bulgaria as part of NATO plans to deter Russia from invading Ukraine.

Robles stressed that Spain prefers the use of diplomacy to resolve the conflict between the two countries.

"Russia cannot tell any country what they should do and NATO will defend any country that wants to join the alliance," she added.