PUT IN HIS PLACE
US nuke bombers fly over ALL 30 NATO countries in show of strength days before Biden’s showdown with Putin
US nuke bombers flew over ALL 30 NATO states in a show of strength ahead of Joe Biden's first meeting with Vladimir Putin since becoming President.
Four American B-52 nuclear bombers flew over 28 NATO states including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - countries on Russia's doorstep.
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At the same time, more planes based in the United States flew through Canadian and American airspace to complete the tour of all NATO countries.
Commander of the US and NATO air forces, General Jeffrey Harrigian, called the mission an "awesome demonstration of NATO air superiority".
He added that it proves "there is no challenge we cannot tackle";.
At the end of June, ground exercises will take place close to the Russian border around the Black Sea.
This is the second year Operation Allied sky has flown planes across Europe.
The drill took place for the first time in June 2020 with six B-52 bombers flying over Europe and two over the U.S.
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Soaring 27,000ft over Scotland at 316mph, new video footage shows a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress refuelling on a flight from Spain before returning to the mission.
The spectacular footage shows an RAF Typhoon taking to the skies over the UK to escort the US aircraft.
During the mission, the bomber completed an aerial refuelling from the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft based at RAF Mildenhall.
According to Nic Robertson, International Diplomatic Editor, the mission aimed to show NATO's "credibility of common defence" and "enhanced readiness".
The timely message of military strength comes weeks ahead of US President Joe Biden's summit with the Russian leader in Geneva on June 16.
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According to , NATO Allied Air Command and USAFE-AFAFRICA commander general Jeff Harrigian said: "Bomber missions demonstrate the credibility of our forces to address a global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any other time in our history.
"Today’s mission is an awesome demonstration of NATO air superiority and together there is no challenge we cannot tackle."
Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Turkey, Romania, and the UK took part in the mission.
Putin was sent another a stark message by British forces on Friday after HMS Queen Elizabeth led a series of war games ahead of a trip to the Black Sea.
The huge £3 billion aircraft carrier was joined in Portugal by 19 NATO warships from the US and eight other allied nations for operation Steadfast Defender.
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The exercise, which is expected to last until June 22, included submarines, destroyers and frigates and was backed by immense aerial support from the RAF's brand new F-35B Lightning stealth fighters.
Commodore Steve Moorhouse, the ship's commanding officer and captain, called it "a hugely powerful statement."
Meanwhile, NATO said it wants to see sanctions fully implemented against Belarus following the forced landing of a Ryanair flight in May to arrest a journalist.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said some allies were also looking at taking further action on the issue.
'HOSTILE STATES'
Stoltenberg met Boris Johnson today following a meeting between Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, and their allied counterparts on Tuesday.
He said it is key that sanctions agreed against Belarus are "fully implemented" and called the actions of Minsk "absolutely unacceptable".
"I think the most important thing now is to make sure that those sanctions that are agreed are fully implemented," Stoltenberg said.
"And I also know that other allies are looking to whether they can step up further."
He also acknowledged that Russia and Belarus are "working closely together".
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Raab also called on NATO to work together to tackle the threat of "hostile states like Russia".
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The first meeting of NATO leaders since 2019 will take place later this month.
Stoltenberg said tackling threats from Russia would be on the agenda at an upcoming leaders' meeting.
Joe Biden brands Vladimir Putin a 'killer' and says Russia will pay price for election interference
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