NATO exercises in the Black Sea are a matter of concern for Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was announced on Thursday, November 11, by the press secretary of the president Dmitry Peskov.
"[NATO exercises in the Black Sea] are the subject of his [Putin's] concern, and he talked about it. There are constant operational contacts between the military on deconflicting. There were contacts through the general staffs, which is positive. But such actions in the immediate vicinity of our borders cannot but be the reason for our increased attention and precautions," the Kremlin spokesman said.
Currently, the American guided missile destroyer Porter, the tanker John Lenthall and the staff ship Mount Whitney are located in the Black Sea region.
MEP, French politician Thierry Mariani said on November 11 that the presence of US Navy ships and NATO maneuvers in the Black Sea near the borders of Russia are a clear provocation. In his opinion, the provocation was organized by United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg against Russia as "enemy number one".
In turn, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov noted that Russia is alarmed by the situation in the Black Sea due to the ongoing provocations of the United States and NATO, their actions are a game with fire. According to him, the risks of a collision in the Black Sea are increasing, this is another attempt to test Russia's strength. He also stressed that the Russian Federation is ready for any provocations.
On the eve it was also reported that the reconnaissance aircraft of the North Atlantic Alliance in the last day significantly increased the intensity of flights near the borders of Russia in the Black Sea region. According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the Pentagon will conduct operations as it "sees fit."
On November 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that the NATO exercises in the Black Sea are connected with the intention of the United States and its allies to increase the policy of deterring Russia. He noted that the actions of the alliance forces violate all the promises and obligations that were enshrined in the NATO—Russia Founding Act.