'Out of solidarity with Ukraine': US warship entered the Black Sea

The American destroyer Donald Cook re-entered the Black Sea to conduct joint exercises with Ukraine and other allies. The commander of the US Navy in Europe, Admiral Foggo, called the visit "a manifestation of solidarity" with Ukraine after the incident in the Sea of ​​Azov.

The ship’s arrival in the Black Sea, which will be its second visit this year, will take place against the background of escalating tensions and violence between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces, writes Voice of America.

The Ukrainian fleet conducts exercises in anticipation of an attack on the high seas from Russia, especially in the area of ​​the Ukrainian port of Mariupol, where Russia captured and imprisoned seaman 24 from three Ukrainian courts at the end of last year.

According to the commander of the US Navy in Europe, Admiral James Foggo, "Donald Cook" will go to the port of Odessa.

“The whole episode in the Sea of ​​Azov was very painful for me,” said Admiral Foggo in an interview with journalists on the margins of the Munich Security Conference last weekend.

At the end of November, the Russian military opened fire on the Ukrainian warships that tried to pass through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of ​​Azov. Ukrainian sailors were arrested.

“We are showing solidarity,” Foggo said, commenting on the transfer of Donald Cook to the region from the Rota naval base in Spain.

Ранее The US Senate condemned the actions of the Russian authoritiesimprisoned 24 Ukrainian sailors on charges of illegally crossing the Russian border. Foggo supports this position.

“It constantly worries me,” Foggo told reporters. - These are Ukrainian sailors, officers and commanders. They are not criminals, and they are charged in accordance with the criminal code. They should receive protection in accordance with the Geneva Convention, which is why the United States and other NATO countries are interfering in the situation and demanding their release immediately, but Russia is still holding them. This is absolutely wrong, and this is not the behavior that can be expected from a great power, which Russia wants to be. ”

Joint US-Ukrainian exercises were planned in conjunction with negotiations in the EU on the introduction of new sanctions against the Russians involved in the incident in the Kerch Strait, said a European diplomat.

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