International security

Russia proposes mechanism to prevent U.S. sea confrontations

Russia's Defense Ministry says it has presented a proposal to the United States on developing a mechanism for preventing confrontations on the open sea and airspace above it. The Wednesday statement, reported by the news agency Interfax, comes in the wake of several tense incidents in recent months. In April, a Russian jet flew about 15 meters from the wing tip of a U.S. aircraft and two Russian jets flew close to the USS Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea. The Pentagon also said a Russian fighter plane conducted a barrel roll over a reconnaissance plane flying above the Baltic Sea.

The ministry said that during consultations with the U.S. on Wednesday, "the Russian side submitted proposals to develop a mechanism to prevent incidents," Interfax reported.

Meanwhile, the commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet says NATO ships are conducting a major naval drill in the Baltic Sea without interference from Russia.