Although the US Navy has not made any official statements regarding the duration or exact purpose of the deployment, the accompanying supply ships like the Supply and William McLean suggest a longer stay. This decision comes against the backdrop of increasing activities by the Russian Navy in the North and Baltic Seas. For example, the Russian destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov has been repeatedly sighted off the German Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn. Meanwhile, Russia is preparing for its annual military exercise "Sapad 2025," scheduled for September. Already in early August, Russian soldiers arrived in Belarus to practice new ground combat tactics. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense confirmed the troop relocation without specifying their exact position. However, experts warn that such maneuvers have often served as a cover for military aggression in the past, as seen in the war against Georgia in 2008, the annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the large-scale war against Ukraine in 2021.
In response to the tense situation, Germany has relocated five Eurofighter jets to Poland. The Luftwaffe fighter jets are now stationed at the Minsk Mazowiecki military airport and are supported by 150 Bundeswehr soldiers. The goal is to strengthen air surveillance on NATO's eastern flank and send a clear signal of solidarity with allies. The relocation of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the North Sea shows that the US is ready to support its European allies while sending a clear message to Moscow. At the same time, the arrival of Russian troops in Belarus and the upcoming maneuvers underscore the ongoing tensions in the region. In this uncertain situation, international cooperation within NATO remains crucial to ensure peace and stability.