Newsweek
Agroup of six Navy vessels was ordered to remain in the Mediterranean Sea instead of moving toward the Middle East to address continuing concerns about the buildup of thousands of troops at the border of Russia and Ukraine.
The decision to stall the USS Harry S. Truman and the five U.S. craft it is traveling with was made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a defense official told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The official said the decision was made because naval officials felt a "persistent presence" was needed in Europe to address fears of many in the intelligence and international community about Russia's plans to invade Ukraine next year.
Russia is scheduled to begin separate negotiations with the United States and NATO officials early next year to discuss the country's demands that NATO rejects the admission of Ukraine into NATO, and that the U.S. and its allies reduce the size of their military presence in Ukraine.
