US aircraft carrier arrives in Mediterranean Sea for NATO exercises

Washington / Moscow – Amid rising tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine issue, the United States has decided to deploy its aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea. Next week, NATO’s ‘Neptune Strike 22’ naval exercise begins. In these exercises, US nuclear aircraft carrier ‘USS Harry S. Truman’ will join along with the ‘Carrier Strike Group’. The US Department of Defense has reported it. Russia has also announced extensive naval exercises after the US and announced that the Russian armada would conduct exercises in all areas from the Pacific region to the Atlantic Ocean.

Russia’s massive military deployment near Ukraine’s border has raised concerns in the West. Leading nations have warned that Russia could invade Ukraine. All countries, including the United States, have responded to Russia’s possible attack. NATO is conducting a comprehensive naval exercise in the Mediterranean Sea region as Russia-Ukraine tensions escalate.

The exercise, named ‘Neptune Strike 22’, will start on Monday, January 24 and last for 12 days. Leading NATO member states will participate in the exercise. The United States has decided to send its aircraft carrier and ‘Carrier Strike Group’ in response to rising tensions in Europe. The US Department of Defense claims that the plan for this comprehensive exercise began in 2020.

The ‘USS Harry S. Truman’, a nuclear aircraft carrier, will join the ‘Carrier Strike Group’ to help NATO member states recognize the capabilities of the aircraft carrier and the ‘Carrier Strike Group’ and conduct missions. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the US decision.

Russia has reacted to the US decision and Russia has also announced extensive naval exercises. All the armoury bases that are part of the Russian Navy will participate in the exercise at the end of January and February. The exercises will be held in all the maritime areas, including the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, Mediterranean Sea, and the Arctic. Russia’s defence ministry said 140 warships, 60 aircraft, 1,000 defence equipment, and about 10,000 troops would participate.

Meanwhile, the UK Defense Secretary is scheduled to meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu in Moscow next week. The visit will be for emergency talks on the Ukraine issue, said the UK sources.