NATO considers acceptable movement of Russian ships in Mediterranean sea – Росбалт.RU

the Minister of defence of Germany Ursula von der Leyen said that NATO is closely monitoring the movement of Russian aircraft carrier group in the Mediterranean sea, the presence of which in the region the Alliance considers acceptable.

“is Valid, that the Russian aircraft carrier moves in international waters, but in the current special circumstances, we will closely watch,” said von der Leyen on Wednesday, on the eve of the meeting of defence Ministers of NATO countries in Brussels.

At the same time, Spanish foreign Minister reported that three Russian ships included in the ship aircraft carrier group of the Northern fleet headed by the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser “Admiral Kuznetsov”, was supposed to be in the port of Ceuta (Spanish enclave in North Africa) from 28 October to 2 November, but on Wednesday, the Russian side decided to withdraw the request for their entry into port.

“the entry of ships in the port of Ceuta was scheduled from October 28 to November 2… Embassy of the Russian Federation in Madrid we have just been informed that withdraws the request for permission for entry of these ships, so it cancelled”, — stated in the message the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Spain. Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Madrid has confirmed to RIA Novosti that the Russian side withdrew the request for entry of ships in the port of Ceuta.

Spanish foreign Minister also said that the resolution “on the entry of three Russian ships in the port of Ceuta from 28 October to 2 November the Spanish government issued in September in accordance with the usual practice, according to which Russian warships make stop in Spanish ports for many years.” “In connection with information about the possibility that these ships are involved in the support of military action in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the foreign Ministry asked the Russian Embassy in Madrid the explanation of this information. The government of Spain with extreme concern the bombing of Aleppo, and the humanitarian tragedy that he is going through. Spain has demanded a ceasefire to allow humanitarian assistance,” — said in a statement.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday that countries-NATO members themselves have to make a decision on the admission of the ships of the carrier battle groups of the Russian Federation in its ports, but everyone knows that the Alliance is concerned about the possible use of these ships in the shelling of Aleppo, Syria.

the Movement of the aircraft carrier “Admiral Kuznetsov” to the coast of Syria led to the growth of tension between Russia and NATO. A group of Russian ships goes through neutral waters, i.e. more than 12 nautical miles from the shore.

the press service of the Northern fleet announced that in accordance with the plan of combat training of the Navy October 15, began a campaign of ship aircraft carrier group of the Northern fleet in the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean sea. The group includes the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser “Admiral Kuznetsov”, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser “Pyotr Veliky”, large anti-submarine ships “Severomorsk” and “Vice-Admiral Kulakov” and support vessels.