The United States sends a warship to the Black Sea: what to expect next

The United States has begun the necessary preparations to send a warship to the Black Sea, writes “Voice of America«.

This is happening against the backdrop of aggravations tensions in the region after capture Russian Ukrainian ships and the detention of Ukrainian sailors.

Referring to three unnamed US officials, CNN broadcaster reported that the US military had asked the State Department to notify Turkey of possible plans to send a warship to the Black Sea.

According to them, this step is a response to Russia's actions towards Ukraine in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea with the Azov Sea.

For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday that in the east of Crimea, annexed by Moscow to Ukraine in 2014, the Russian military conducted exercises using Pantsir air defense systems.

Photo by wikipedia.org

The Russian Foreign Ministry also said Wednesday that the Ukrainian government is making "active preparations" for a military offensive in the east of Ukraine, using recent declaration of martial law in some areas as a cover.

“Essential offensive components are being transferred to the region, which are then dispersed along the entire contact line,” said Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, at a briefing.

The United States is obliged to notify Turkey of passage through the straits in accordance with the Montreux Convention - the 1936 agreement of the year governing the passage of warships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles connecting the Mediterranean with the Black Sea.

In accordance with this treaty, non-Black Sea states are obliged to notify Turkey at least 15 days before the passage of their ships through the strait.

A State Department spokesman said: “The United States is carrying out its actions in accordance with the provisions of the Montreux Convention. However, we will not comment on the nature of our diplomatic correspondence with the Turkish government. ”

Two sources of CNN reported that the notification was sent so that the US Navy had the opportunity to send a warship to the area, but this opportunity will not necessarily be used.

"Our Sixth Fleet is always ready to respond if necessary," the fleet spokesman, Commander Kyle Rynes, said.

“We regularly conduct security and stability operations throughout the US Sixth Fleet, including international waters and Black Sea airspace,” Reins told CNN. “We reserve the right to act freely in accordance with international law and regulations,” he added.

Planning to send the ship takes place against the backdrop of increasing tensions between Washington and Moscow on a number of issues.

On Wednesday, the US Navy sent a missile destroyer "McCampbell" in the vicinity of the disputed waters in the Sea of ​​Japan, which will inevitably irritate Russia.

Photo: twitter / USFleetForces

The American warship conducted an "operation to ensure freedom of navigation," as they call it in the Navy, to counter Russian claims on this area. A spokesman for the Navy told CNN that Moscow is claiming areas far beyond 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) from the Russian coastline, guaranteed by international law.

"McCampbell sailed around Peter the Great Bay to challenge Russia's excessive maritime claims and protect the rights, freedoms and legitimate uses of the sea enjoyed by the United States and other countries," said Lt. Rachel McMarr, a spokeswoman for the US Pacific Fleet.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking at a NATO conference in Brussels on Tuesday, said the alliance "will jointly develop a set of responses that will demonstrate to Russia that this behavior is unacceptable."

The entry of the high-speed transport ship "Carson-City" in October was the last occurrence of an American ship in the Black Sea. The Arly Burk class Karni missile destroyer emerged from the Black Sea in late August.

In accordance with the Montreux Convention, American ships can be in the Black Sea no more than 21 day.