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Putin: Doesn’t want to increase tensions in the Black Sea
According to President Vladimir Putin, Russia has no interest in worsening the situation in the Black Sea region. That is why he rejected a proposal from his defense ministry to hold military exercises there in response to NATO activities, Putin said in an interview broadcast on Sunday. Russia will limit itself to escorting NATO military aircraft and ships. Russia had previously reported an increase in military activities by the US and US allies in the Black Sea region and criticized the procedure. Part of the activity is near the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The US has announced that its ships are in the Black Sea to improve cooperation with NATO allies in the region.
Putin also said the US and NATO were holding unplanned exercises in the Black Sea. “This is a serious challenge for us.”