The U.S. will stay in the Black Sea says a U.S. Navy Secretary on Thursday, despite Russia warning that the patrolling U.S. destroyer undermines regional security.
Speaking to Reuters, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus says it is the U.S. Navy’s role to deter aggression and keep sea lanes open in the Black Sea basin, which bounded by Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Ukraine and Turkey.
“We’re going to be there,” Mabus told Reuters of the Black Sea. “We’re going to deter. That’s the main reason we’re there — to deter potential aggression.”
Romania and Turkey are going to push for for a bigger NATO presence in the Black Sea in response to increased Russian aggression in the region. They are expected to propose the joint initiative in a NATO summit in July.
Russia has its own Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol and says it poses no threat to the security alliance
[Reuters]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Why Maternity Care Is Underpaid
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com