Russia Issues Warning on Black Sea Provocations

July 11, 2021 (EIRNS)—The Russian Embassy issued a stark warning to the U.S. in the form of a message to Newsweek regarding the Black Sea. “Maneuvers performed in the immediate proximity to the Russian shores with the use of U.S. and its allies’ destroyers, as well as transport and landing ships—are a provocation,” the embassy said. “Such exercises with imitation of landing operations and Special Forces training activities undermine security in the Black Sea region,” in remarks sent to Newsweek, according to the publication.

The embassy compared the scenario to a hypothetical Russian maneuver off the U.S., suggesting: “Imagine a situation where Russia conducts drills in the Gulf of Mexico. This would have sparked a storm of indignation in the U.S.,” quoted the publication.

“We call on our partners to comprehend one simple thing—the population of Crimea in 2014 already made its choice. It must be respected. The attempts of the West to test Russia’s determination to defend its territorial integrity with such provocative exercises are doomed to failure.”

Newsweek’s July 10 report did not give a date for the embassy message, or say why it was communicating with Newsweek per se.