EMEA News
Russia Pulls Back Bunkering Request for Warships at Ceuta
The Spanish government says Russia has withdrawn its request for bunkering warships at the Spanish-North African enclave of Ceuta after NATO allies said the carrier battle group may be used against Syrian civilians, Reuters reports.
Britain is reported to have raised concerns with Spain over its decision to allow three Russian ships to refuel in Ceuta on their way to the eastern Mediterranean between October 28 and November 2.
"The Russian Embassy in Madrid has just informed us that it is withdrawing the request for permission for stopovers for these ships and these stopovers have therefore been canceled," Spain's foreign ministry said following an earlier statement that it was reviewing Russia's request after reports suggested that the three ships would provide support to attacks on Aleppo.
While the Russian embassy in Spain also confirmed that the request had been withdrawn, no reason for the change of course was provided.
NATO is reported to be monitoring the battle group comprised of eight Russian carriers as it makes its way to the eastern Mediterranean.
