On June 5, large-scale naval exercises of NATO countries “Baltops-2022” begin off the coast of Sweden.

This is stated in the statement of the Alliance, writes “European Pravda”.

The exercise will be attended by 14 NATO countries, as well as partner countries Sweden and Finland, who have recently applied to join the Alliance.

They will involve more than 7,000 sailors, pilots and marines, 75 aircraft and 45 ships. The exercises will continue until June 17.

The exercises have been held since 1972 and this year will be associated with the 500th anniversary of the Royal Swedish Navy.

“The main goal of the exercise is to further interoperability in the sector of amphibious operations and operations to ensure freedom of navigation, maritime interception, anti-submarine warfare, mine action, maritime medical evacuation and joint personnel recovery, in order to demonstrate both the defensive character of NATO and the readiness to protect the Baltic region . “, – noted in the Alliance.

Recall, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, repeated to him the explanations why Turkey is against the membership of Finland and Sweden.

As you know, Turkey was the only one in NATO who spoke out against the entry of Sweden and Finland, who filed applications in mid-May.

(Source: European Pravda, June 5, 2022)