US Alerts Aircraft Carrier in Mediterranean, Warns of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The US ordered one of its aircraft carriers to remain on standby in the Mediterranean region amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. The carrier strike group USS Harry S Truman remained in the region and delayed its next scheduled voyage to the Middle East. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the change in the schedule for the USS Harry S Truman carrier strike group reflected the need for a US presence in Europe.

"And it is necessary to reassure our allies and partners of our commitment to collective defense," Austin said. The Harry S Truman carrier strike group begins departing from its base in Norfolk, Virginia, USA on December 1.

Last week, the Harry S Truman carrier strike group conducted joint exercises with the Tunisian military before sailing east.

The alerting of the USS Harry S Truman in the Mediterranean occurs even though the US and Russia will hold talks on January 10, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. The two countries will discuss various matters of tension, including regarding Ukraine. Western officials say Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops near the Ukrainian border.

The situation raises concerns about a potential Moscow invasion of Ukraine. Russia briefly annexed Crimea in 2014. And in the same year, a pro-Russian separatist insurgency broke out in eastern Ukraine. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied allegations of an invasion of Ukraine. Putin instead gave him security guarantees against NATO's expansion to the east.

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