Pentagon press secretary: “We don't have any U.S. assets within the Black Sea”

Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon press secretary, holds a press briefing.
Photo: Pentagon

During a briefing Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, made a very revealing statement regarding the US military actions in the Black Sea region. Here is a fragment from the press conference (transcript):

Q: There are reports – said that U.S. now is in talks with Turkey and Ukraine and other partner to increase the use of alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain. So do you confirm that? And with your assessment, does the Black Sea now become, like, a battleground? And how much your concerns have about that?

MS. SINGH: I'm sorry, I just have not seen those reports, so I just can't really comment on – on any more specifics on that. I'm – I'm sorry.

Q: I’m talking about the Black Sea?

MS. SINGH: Well, the Black Sea – in – in terms of – in terms of what's happening in the Black Sea, I – you know, there's no U.S. assets there operating. We have certainly urged Russia, both, I mean, pretty publicly but also through different agencies, to return to the grain deal. The – the risk that Russia is taking is – is starving other countries out of – of needed grain that – that they depend on Ukraine for.

So, we've urged Russia to return to the grain deal, to honor its commitment to ensure safe passage of grain out of Ukraine and into the countries that need it the most. But we don't have any U.S. assets within the Black Sea, so I – I just don't have more to share on that. Yeah, of course.

Q: So would – would something similar be considered for the Black Sea? Isn't – isn't the – a – a blockade on – or – or disruption in grain shipments really a threat to international commerce in the same way that Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz would be?

MS. SINGH: Yeah, I don't have any decision or announcement to make on that. It's something that we continue to monitor. You know, we're not – we – we are – we've been very clear we don't seek war with Russia and that this is, you know, a fight that we are helping support Ukraine in. But at this moment, I don't have any announcements to make when it comes to the Black Sea or – or any secure of helping shipments move out.

…Let’s repeat:

- …In terms of what's happening in the Black Sea, I – you know, there's no U.S. assets there operating;

- …We don't have any U.S. assets within the Black Sea;

- …We've been very clear we don't seek war with Russia;

- …I don't have any announcements to make when it comes to the Black Sea or – or any secure of helping shipments move out.

Does it mean that US do not intend to deploy their Army and Fleet facilities in the Black Sea region for Ukrainian support?

It turns out that this is American disinformation. A US Navy ship LCC 20 Mount Whitney has just entered the Black Sea. Its mission up to the moment is not clear.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs