Ukraine-US military drills in the Black Sea pose no threat to Russia, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says
Ukraine sees no threat to any country in the Black Sea region due to the holding of the Sea Breeze 2011 military exercises on its territory, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
"Ukraine sees no real or potential threat to any country in the Black Sea region due to the holding of Ukrainian-U.S. Sea Breeze 2011 naval exercises," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov told Interfax-Ukraine, while commenting on Kyiv's official position in connection with Russia's concerns over the entry of the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey to the Black Sea.
Mr. Dykusarov said that all the elements included in the program of these exercises were by no means linked to any actions that could be dangerous to "our neighbors."
“All of the Black Sea littoral states, including Russia, have been invited to take part in the exercises, which Ukraine views as a key element of confidence building measures and cooperation between servicemen of different countries," Interfax-Ukraine quoted the official as saying.
Kyiv thinks that such events help overcome misguided phobias and Cold War-era stereotypes, as well as contribute to security in the Black Sea region, the Ukrainian diplomat said.
The military drills will last from June 6 through June 18.