Russia-Ukraine situation gets hotter, US sends aircraft carrier

WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – United States of America (AS) sending aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman to the Mediterranean Sea amid tensions between the West and Russia about Ukraine.

The carrier battle group USS Harry S Truman was deployed there to participate in NATO naval exercises.

Launch The Hill, Saturday (22/1/2022), the NATO naval exercise is called Neptune Strike 22, starting Monday (1/24/2022) until February 4.

Also read: If Russia invades Ukraine, get ready for soaring oil and gas prices

US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said the exercise would demonstrate NATO’s ability to integrate its carrier’s top-class maritime strike capability to support the alliance’s defenses.

However, Kirby did not specify who the NATO members were taking part in the naval exercise.

He added that they would practice coordinated maritime maneuvers, anti-submarine warfare training, and long-range strike training.

Kirby stressed that the war games had been planned for a long time, namely in 2020.

Also read: The situation is getting hotter, the residents of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv are ready to fight Russia

He also insisted that the exercise had nothing to do with the current situation in Ukraine.

However, the exercise is not listed on the NATO website as a scheduled exercise for this year.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance would always do what was necessary to protect and defend all of its allies.

He added, participation US aircraft carriers in Neptune Strike 22 shows strong signs of transatlantic association.

Also read: UK accuses Kremlin of trying to install pro-Russian leader in Ukraine

Meanwhile, the situation between Ukraine and Russia escalated after Moscow refused to withdraw some 100,000 troops deployed near the border.

NATO has deployed troops and weapons to areas near Ukraine in recent days.

The move also comes amid fears that Moscow could attack Ukraine at any time.

Spain has sent a number of warships to the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The country is also considering sending some of its fighter jets to Bulgaria.

Also read: UK accuses Kremlin of trying to install pro-Russian leader in Ukraine

Meanwhile, Denmark sent a frigate to the Baltic Sea. France offered to send troops to Romania.

Washington has also allowed three NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to send US-made weapons from arsenals for Ukraine to use.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he wanted to use diplomacy to defuse the situation in Ukraine.

However, if his efforts are unsuccessful, and Russia decides to launch an aggression against Ukraine, Blinken issues a threat of a unified, swift and violent response.

Also read: US Orders Family of Embassy Personnel Out of Ukraine Immediately

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