The Russian side is wary of the plans of the United States and Ukraine to conduct Sea Breeze 2019 joint exercises (Sea Breeze 2019) in the Black Sea. This was stated to journalists by the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin.
“The idea is dangerous. That is how we will relate to it. Before we study the facts. They are perceived by us as a dangerous idea, ”- quoted Karasina TASS.
Recall that on the eve, February 11, a conference on planning these maneuvers started in Odessa. It is assumed that international exercises will be held in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, as well as in the Nikolaev, Odessa and Kherson regions, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported.
"The main advantage will be the scale and unique format of the maneuvers, since the military personnel of the Ukrainian Navy together with partners will perform tasks according to NATO standards wherever possible - at sea, on land, in the air and under water," Ministry of Defense.
The defense department added that at the Odessa conference it was planned to finalize the list of training tasks, develop a draft scenario and training plan, as well as prepare management staff "for planning operations in accordance with NATO standards."
Maneuvers "Sea Breeze" are regularly held in the Black Sea since 1997 in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation on the issues of defense and military relations between the Ministries of Defense of the USA and Ukraine. However, several times the exercises failed for various reasons.
In 2018, the maneuvers were held in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, as well as in the Odessa and Nikolaev regions from July 9 to 21. In total, more than two thousand soldiers from 19 countries and over 30 ships and vessels took part in them. At the same time, shortly after the end of the exercise, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced his intention to increase the contingent of participants in the Sea Breeze in 2019, as well as expand areas for maneuvers.
- Teachings Sea Breeze 2018
- globallookpress.com
- © Nina Liashonok / ZUMAPRESS.com
"Anti-Russian provocation of the West"
According to a member of the Federation Council, Igor Morozov, in Kiev and Washington "deliberately increase hysteria," realizing the level of tension in relations between Russia and Ukraine, and between Russia and the United States.
“Poroshenko believes that this will have a positive impact on his rating and, accordingly, on the election campaign. He thinks that in this way he will be able to change the course of his unsuccessful work at meetings with voters, while communicating with the national elite. And the United States now needs to increase tension due to the fact that this is already a prescribed course both in military doctrine and national security strategy, ”the senator believes.
At the same time, the interlocutor of RT noted that in this situation the Russian side should adhere to the program of rearmament of the army and navy conducted by the Ministry of Defense, realizing that “there can be no other approach to our defense”.
In turn, political scientist Ivan Mezyuho called international exercises in the Black Sea area an anti-Russian provocation by Western countries. Moreover, the expert expressed the opinion that in this situation, Kiev is not independent in its actions and only plays up to the anti-Russian forces.
“Of course, for the Ukrainian authorities, Sea Breeze’s teachings are of ritual significance. This allows us to say once again that they are supposedly the most powerful army in Europe, which allegedly enjoys the full support of the North Atlantic Alliance. Of course, Russia will respond to this provocation. If Kiev flirts at all, then Russia may well conduct some unplanned military exercises in the Black or Azov Seas, ”the political scientist said.
Against this background, the Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko, speaking at the investment conference Dragon Capital, said that he would soon sign the law on amending the Constitution of Ukraine. The document will add points on the strategic course of the state for membership in the European Union and in the North Atlantic Alliance.
“The Verkhovna Rada has already supported this initiative of the president, and next week I will sign amendments to the constitution ... This will be an extremely important stage and step in the history of our state,” Poroshenko said.
He also added that he made a public commitment in 2023 to apply for EU membership, as well as to achieve the country's inclusion in the Action Plan on NATO membership.