Russia conducts large-scale drills in Black Sea amid Ukraine tensions

Moscow: More than 20 Russian warships and supporting vessels had left their bases for exercises in the Black Sea, Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

The moves comes amid growing tension with the US over Ukrain. Earlierr, US President Joe Biden warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be sanctioned personally if he sends troops into Ukraine even as representatives of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany were due to meet on Wednesday for talks.

The Russian naval group, which consists of frigates, patrol ships, missile ships, landing ships, anti-submarine ships and minesweepers, was sailing towards the designated areas, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement released by the ministry.

On the way to the drills, the Russian vessels will practice communications, safe maneuvers in areas with intensive navigation, and air defence, it added.

On Monday, another 20 Russian warships and supporting vessels started large-scale drills in the Baltic Sea to carry out anti-submarine, air defence and mine-sweeping tasks, according to another statement.

These drills came as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and fighter jets to Eastern Europe as tensions in and around Ukraine had escalated.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the US has delivered a written letter to Russia addressing Moscow’s concerns amid escalating tensions on Ukraine’s border.

Blinken told a press conference that the letter, which was delivered to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the US ambassador to Russia, “sets out a serious diplomatic path forward should Russia choose it”, Xinhua news agency reported.

The letter, Blinken said, was in response to Russia recently outlining “its concerns and proposals in writing” to the US.

In addition to concerns of the US and that of its allies and partners regarding “Russia’s actions that undermine our security”, what was contained in the letter also included “a principled and pragmatic evaluation of the concerns that Russia has raised, and our own proposals for areas where we may be able to find common ground,” Blinken said.

Washington’s written response also included proposals for improving “reciprocal transparency” between Russia and the West regarding “force posture in Ukraine”, as well as “measures to increase confidence regarding military exercises and maneuvers in Europe,” Blinken said.

It also included proposals addressing the placement of missile systems in Europe and arms control, such as “our interest in a follow-on agreement to the New START treaty that covers all nuclear weapons,” he said.

Blinken said “if negotiated in good faith,” these proposals have the potential to enhance the security of the United States and that of its allies and partners, “while also addressing Russia’s stated concerns through reciprocal commitments.”

The secretary reiterated that Washington prefers resolving the crisis through diplomacy and is “prepared to move forward where there is the possibility of communication and cooperation, if Russia de-escalates its aggression toward Ukraine, stops the inflammatory rhetoric, and approaches to discussions about the future security in Europe in the spirit of reciprocity.”

Blinken said the US will not make the letter public and hopes that Russia will do the same, “because we think diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks.”

IANS