The United States is considering sending warships into the Black Sea in the next few weeks in a show of support for Ukraine amid Russia's increased military presence on Ukraine's eastern border, a US defense official told according to CNN.
“Given that US Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea, the deployment of warships now would send a specific message to Moscow meaning that the U.S is closely watching,” the news agency reported. As stated by a CNN source, the US Navy is continuing to fly reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the Black Sea to monitor Russian naval activity and any troops movements in Crimea.
According to the protocol, the US is required to give 14 days notice of its intention to enter the Black Sea under a 1936 treaty giving Turkey control of the straits to enter the sea. It is unclear if a notice has yet been sent.
At the moment, the United States does not consider the growing concentration of Russian military forces on the Ukrainian-Russian border. However, "if something changes we will be ready to respond," the US official told CNN.
Their current assessment is that the Russians are conducting training and exercises and intelligence has not indicated military orders for further action, but that could change at any time.
The channel's interlocutor noted that this time the actions of the U.S. Navy will mean "a special message for Russia".
In addition, it was mentioned that on Wednesday, two US B-1 bombers conducted missions over the Aegean Sea.