You're reading: Zelensky: Sea Breeze 2021 exercise shows Ukraine not alone with Russian aggression

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is convinced that the Sea Breeze exercise in the Black Sea, the largest in its history this year, is a signal that Ukraine is not left alone with Russian aggression, according to the presidential website.

During a working visit to the Odesa region, the President visited the Ross destroyer of the U.S. Navy, which participates in the international naval exercise Sea Breeze 2021. Onboard, the President talked to the commander of the 6th fleet of the U.S. Naval Forces, Vice Admiral Eugene Black.

Zelensky called it symbolic that Ukraine’s Navy Day and the U.S. Independence Day are celebrated on the same day and congratulated the American people on this holiday.

“I believe that these two events are interconnected. After all, today Ukraine defends its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the east. And we believe that due to the support of our partners, the United States, on land, at sea, and in the air, we will be able to protect our independence more confidently and successfully,” the head of state said.

For his part, Vice Admiral Eugene Black emphasized that for the American military it is a great honor to welcome on board the President of the country, which fights for independence. He noted that many elements are worked out during the Sea Breeze in order to achieve interoperability, which is very important for the interaction of the Ukrainian and U.S. military on land, at sea, and in the air.