Washington, February 11 (RHC)-- The U.S. Army is preparing to carry out its largest military drills in Europe in the past 25 years. Observers noted that with the danger of a potential war between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. insists on strengthening its military potential. A few days ago, it was announced that it had deployed, for the first time, a dangerous nuclear weapon, which could promote the use of this type of weapon in a conflict scenario.
According to reports, the U.S. is in full preparation for a large-scale military exercise, which will involve 37,000 military personnel from 18 countries and approximately 20,000 soldiers. During the military exercise "Defend Europe 2020," most of the forces will be deployed in February, but the main exercises will take place in April and May. However, some drills could last until the summer.
These maneuvers, as well as the associated exercises, "will enhance strategic preparedness and interoperability," according to the U.S. military, by training its ability to quickly move a large force of soldiers and equipment to Europe and to "respond, along with its allies and partners, to a potential crisis.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, also said on Monday that the manoeuvres "show the strong commitment of the United States to NATO and to the freedom and security of Europe," while stressing that they are not directed against Russia, nor against any country in particular.
But this activity does set off alarm bells. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who recently toured Latin American countries, including Venezuela, said Moscow cannot "ignore" such actions. Lavrov suggested that those responsible for these"absolutely unjustified" exercises, which are nothing more than a "dangerous game", are in fact expecting retaliation from Russia to further increase tension.
"But everything we do in response to NATO threats to our security, we do exclusively on our territory. Just as all our nuclear weapons are on our territory, unlike U.S. nuclear weapons," Lavrov added.
