Intel: Russian naval exercises could fuel Greece-Turkey standoff in EastMed
A planned Russian drill could worsen an already tense standoff between Greece and Turkey in the energy-rich and disputed eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Turkey issued two navigational warnings Wednesday regarding Russian plans for live-fire naval exercises this month in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, according to a notice from the Turkish naval forces office of navigation, hydrography and oceanography. The Russian exercises will run from Sept. 8-22 and Sept. 17-25.
Although the drills will not take place in the waters contested between Turkey and Greece, they could likely add to an already tense standoff between the two countries in the energy resource-abundant region.
In July, Turkey sent an exploration vessel escorted by warships to search for untapped oil reserves in eastern Mediterranean waters that are also claimed by Greece and Cyprus.
Athens condemned the move. Since then, the countries have been locked in a heated standoff, with Greece sending warships into the waters. At the end of August, six Greek fighter jets triggered a Turkish maritime Navtex alert.
