US, NATO Slam Russian Plan to Block Parts of Black Sea  

The United States and NATO accused Russia of again ramping up tensions, criticizing Moscow’s plans to limit access to the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait for most of the next six months due to military exercises. The U.S. Defense Department said Friday the Kremlin’s decision is “just the latest example” of Russian aggression in the Black Sea and insisted it would have no impact on U.S. plans. “We have routinely operated naval warships in the Black Sea and that will continue,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters.  “We call on Russia to cease its harassment of vessels in the region and reverse its build-up of forces along Ukraine’s border and in occupied Ukraine,” he said. Last week, Turkish officials announced that the U.S. had notified them of plans to send two warships to the Black Sea, before canceling. Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said Friday that he was not aware of any U.S. naval vessels currently in the Black Sea. 
 
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