NATO Command of USS Harry S. Truman Sends Signal to Russia, Says Secretary General Stoltenberg
By: John Grady
January 28, 2022 2:02 PM
Sailors heave a phone-and-distance line on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during a replenishment-at-sea on Oct. 22, 2021. US Navy Photo
Putting an American aircraft carrier strike group under alliance control should be a “clear message to Russia” that its 30 members are unwavering in their commitment to come to each other’s defense if attacked, NATO’s secretary general said Friday.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general since 2014, – when the Kremlin annexed Crimea and openly supported separatists in eastern Ukraine – said he expected the same hand-over of command from the United Kingdom and France as the countries move naval, air and ground forces into member nations on the Black Sea.
Stoltenberg “was reluctant now to go too far” in detailing NATO’s options if the Ukrainian crisis escalates to armed conflict.
On the alliance build-up on its borders, “they are there to defend NATO allies,” not attack Russia, he said.
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