The US Department of Defense has announced major NATO naval exercises in the Mediterranean. The announcement comes a day after Russia announced it would be conducting major maneuvers on multiple seas, including the Mediterranean, at about the same time. Among others, the American aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman will participate in the maneuvers.
A spokesman for the US Department of Defense said the exercise, ‘Neptune Strike 2022’, has nothing to do with current tensions with Russia over Ukraine. According to him, the exercise has been on NATO’s agenda since 2020. It will last until February 4.
NATO’s public activity schedule, which was updated in mid-December, does not yet include the exercise ‘Neptune Strike 2022’.
“The exercise itself is not intended to counter the kinds of scenarios that could arise around Ukraine,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “This is truly a NATO naval exercise (…) intended to test a wide range of naval capabilities.”
Kirby acknowledged that the tense situation with Russia led to debates among NATO allies, but that it was ultimately decided to continue with the exercises.
Amid major tensions: Russia announces large-scale naval exercises
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