US, NATO Open Direct Communication Link With Russia As NATO Holds Anti-Submarine Drills In North Sea

The North Atlantic Treat Organisation have reportedly restored direct communication lines with the Russian military. The U.S. may have decided to de-escalate tensions with Russia as NATO and Moscow agreed to activate a direct connection between their armed forces to instantly access a current situation.

A German media source, Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachirichten, reports that NATO and Russia are planning to maintain open communication. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe as well as the chairman of the NATO Military Committee have obtained an official authorisation to be in direct contact with the Russian military.

NATO had declined to reveal when the direct communication line was established but only said communications channels would always remain open. Previous reports have indicated that German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier in December had urged a direct link between NATO and Moscow to respond to a possible civil war in Ukraine.

The direct communication link between NATO and Russian forces will mirror the communications channel between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly expressed that Russia is not interested in any type of confrontation with the U.S. since both countries still have several areas for cooperation, reports Sputnik News.

Meanwhile, NATO has launched one of its largest anti-submarine exercises in the North Sea on May 4. Sweden was invited to participate in the drills for the first time even though it is not a NATO member country. More than a dozen ships from 11 countries are expected to participate in the exercises dubbed as “Dynamic Mongoose.” NATO will simulate drills that would involve the detection and attack of enemy submarines in one of the world’s most hostile oceans.

“Russia has a right to be at sea, just as we do. But the incidents we have seen are not in line with international regulations… and that’s been the cause of concern,” said Rear Admiral Brad Williamson, the commander of the anti-submarine exercises and the USS Vicksburg. Reports of Finland detecting an unidentified submarine last week along its coast have added to the tension in the region.

Williamson added that the exercises are relevant to the times but reiterated that the drills are not in response to such reports. Last month, defence ministers of the Nordic countries have issued strong statements against Russia in April and called its military buildup as a threat to security, reports NDTV.

Kai Nickelsdorf, commander of Germany’s U33 submarine, said the Russians have increased their activity “and so have we.” The German submarine will be playing the roleplaying the enemy force in the anti-submarine exercises.

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