Senior military officials from the United States and Britain said on Monday that joint military exercises are vital to Europe's deterrence against Russia - a show of unity after US President Donald Trump's overtures to Russia have raised doubts about Washington's commitment to NATO, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
British Royal Air Force Marshal Jonny Stringer, who is the deputy commander of NATO's air forces, and the commander of US Strategic Air Command (Command No. 8) - Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, praised the bomber squadron, which has had nine missions in Europe since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Both expressed a desire to leave "politics to politicians" in response to a journalistic question about their thoughts on the uncertainty over the future cooperation of the United States under President Donald Trump with NATO allies. At the same time, Stringer and Armagost expressed their confidence that the partnership between the United States and Europe only strengthens security.
"What I think you are seeing here is a testament to the world's most successful alliance, which is 75 years old, said Stringer, standing in front of a US B-52X strategic bomber at an air base in southwest England, where most missions begin.
The two commanders said that for now there is no prospect of the joint military exercises ending anytime soon. "We plan together, we fly together, we integrate," Armagost said.
"I think the speed with which we can come together, plan together and demonstrate what we can do is a very strong asset, regardless of politics (...), the strength of that operational routine speaks for itself," he added.
Stringer said there was a "sustainable plan" for permanent missions as a "vital message" to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"And as I said, they are also essential for our training and so we will make sure that we are, God forbid, ready (for war) if necessary," the senior British military officer said.