Tensions at the eastern border between Ukraine and Russia have since escalated and became a cause of concern for NATO member countries. With tensions between the two countries potentially escalating into a world war, troops from the US, Romania, and Spain have come together in military exercises.
The US Navy Seals have joined the Romanian and Spanish Special Forces in the “Trojan Footprint” Military Exercises. The military exercises take place across five countries in Europe. Over 600 NATO and non-NATO forces, including troops from Ukraine and Georgia have all participated in the exercises. The exercises are part of the efforts to counter Russia in its tensions with Ukraine over recent weeks.
“We have to be strong and supportive of our allies when there is a threat,” said senior US diplomat in Romania David Muniz, who also serves as the embassy’s charge d’affaires. “When we are strong, when we are united, it has a real chilling effect, shall we say, on the kinds of things that can happen.”
The tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated following the increase of Russian troops at the border. There have also been clashes in the eastern region of Ukraine between the army and pro-Russia separatists. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously warned Russia to withdraw the thousands of Russian troops at the border.
This month, British warships are setting sail for the Black Sea this month in solidarity with Ukraine and the country’s allies in NATO.
Fears of a world war from the tensions between Iran and the US have also been stoked when the US Coast Guard was forced to open fire 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels at the Strait of Hormuz. According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the Coast Guard opened fire when some of the Iranian speedboats went within 150 yards of six US military ships escorting the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia as it sailed on the surface.
This marks the second incident in a span of two weeks that a US ship has opened fire to warn off vessels from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey was part of the convoy.