What does Vladimir Putin really want and how far will Russia go in Ukraine and the Black Sea? Faced with these two questions, NATO is concerned and hesitates, admitting that Moscow’s attitude “Out of the ordinary”, as a diplomatic source put it. The deployment of tens of thousands of men near the Ukrainian border – the largest since the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, underlines the Alliance – and the increase in Russian maneuvers in the Black Sea, a strategic area between the Europe and Asia are clear signs of renewed tension.
At the headquarters of the transatlantic organization, the two-week“Exercises” of the Russian army in this area, with a massive naval and air presence, as well as the recent transfer of some fifty planes to Crimea, the annexed Ukrainian peninsula, are receiving all the attention. At this stage, however, the Alliance’s military structure would not have received any instructions to reflect on what could be a possible response from the Allies. “But, of course, the soldiers can think on their own …”, quips a diplomat.
NATO has officially declared ” worry “ to see Russia organize a restriction of access to areas of the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait, leading to the Sea of Azov and essential for Ukraine’s maritime trade. A measurement “Unjustified”, being part of a “Destabilization scheme”, an Alliance statement also called for free access to Ukrainian ports on April 16. Moscow for its part indicated that from Saturday April 24 to October 31, passage through the waters of the Russian Federation would be suspended for military ships. “And other state buildings” foreigners.
Increase military presence
According to Turkish sources, the United States has canceled the deployment of two of its warships in the Black Sea. For its part, Washington indicated that the dispatch of these ships had, in fact, never been confirmed and that their note would have been “Misinterpreted”. A dubious explanation, but it was apparently not to escalate the tension with Moscow. Britain, on the other hand, is reportedly considering sending a destroyer and anti-submarine frigate there in May.
The current episode brings back NATO, mainly concerned with the Baltic Sea in recent months, to the idea that the Black Sea is “A strategic lock”, judge a European source. And that its military presence must increase there, even if it means resuscitating another cold war in this area.
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