MOSCOW, July 4 (RIA Novosti) – Four NATO warships have entered the Black Sea to conduct Breeze-2014 exercise with the US Navy, an official statement on NATO’s website said.
“Four NATO ships entered the Black Sea today in a regularly scheduled deployment to enhance NATO solidarity and readiness in the region,” NATO said in a statement.
The ships are from NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group TWO, the flagship is an Italian Navy frigate, the ITS AVIERE. On Friday, the ships are to arrive at the port of Burgas in Bulgaria.
On Thursday, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defense announced that Breeze-2014 is to take place from July 4 to 13. Bulgarian, Greek, Romanian, Turkish and US warships are to take part in the exercise, as well as a US patrol warplane and four NATO ships.
NATO has been flexing its muscles near the Russian border since Crimea’s reunification with Russia in March. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over Western pressure on Russia.
