KYIV. UkraineGate , 6 , June , 2022 | World News
NATO has launched a nearly two-week US- BALTOPS 22 naval exercise in the Baltic Sea. It was joined by more than 7,000 sailors, pilots and marines from 16 countries, including Finland and Sweden.
Details
The Alliance said that with the participation of Sweden and Finland in military exercises, NATO is taking the opportunity to “increase the resilience and strength of its combined forces” together with the two Scandinavian candidate countries. It is reported that 45 ships and 75 aircraft will also be involved in BALTOPS 22. The training is scheduled to end in the German port of Kiel on June 17.
Addition
On the eve of “BALTOPS 22”, US General Mark Millie, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it was particularly important for NATO to show support for Sweden and Finland. Speaking to Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, he stressed that the Baltic Sea is a strategically important reservoir, namely “one of the world’s major sea routes”.
According to the American general, the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will be “very problematic” for Moscow and will leave Russia in a difficult military situation, as the Baltic coast will be almost completely surrounded by NATO members, except for the Russian Baltic exclave Kaliningrad and the Russian city of St. Petersburg. its surroundings.
Before
Turkey opposes the accession of Sweden and Finland to the military alliance. Thus, the adviser to the President of Turkey Fahrettin Altun said that the countries have nothing to negotiate for NATO membership.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is working to alleviate the situation.
Source: Ukrgate