US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has decided to keep an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean, which was to be deployed in the Gulf region, to “reassure” Europeans amid tensions with Russia, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.
“The Secretary of Defense has ordered the USS Harry Truman Air Force to remain in the European Command Area (EUCOM) instead of going to the Central Command Area (CENTCOM) as planned,” said a Pentagon staffer who assisted in do not name.
Without mentioning the tensions over Ukraine, where Kiev and its Western allies accuse Moscow of gathering tens of thousands of troops at the border and preparing to invade, the Pentagon official stressed that the change in “Reflects the need for a continued presence in Europe”.
“It is necessary to reaffirm to our allies and partners our commitment to our collective security,” she added.
The USS Harry Truman and his accompanying aeronautical force arrived in the Mediterranean on December 14, bound for the Gulf region via the Suez Canal.
Russia and the United States have agreed to hold talks on January 10 focusing on Ukraine and security in Europe. Two days later, a NATO / Russia Council meeting and a day later talks within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a forum set up during the Cold War to promote East-West dialogue.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
.
