This was announced by ex-adviser to the former US Special Representative for Ukraine Christopher Anderson, speaking at a joint closed meeting of the intelligence, foreign affairs, oversight and reform committee of the lower house of Congress on October 30.
“CNN had material that said – I don’t remember exactly – it was related to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, it looked like it was a direct response from Russia that it was a challenge to Russia (in the light of the incident in the Kerch Strait),” – noted the American diplomat, adding that the operation was planned to be carried out in January.
According to him, the material of the television company “exaggerated the scale of the situation” due to the fact that it was a standard notification under the Montreux Convention of the plans of the US Navy to enter the Black Sea. In addition, he said, the Turkish side was informed of this intention.
“Bolton said that the president (Trump) called him at home and complained about this report,” Anderson said, answering a question about how he found out about the call.
After CNN published its material, the White House asked the US Navy to cancel the operation.
“We met with Bolton and discussed this, and he made it clear that the president called him to complain about this report. And perhaps he was surprised. The operation was canceled, but then we were able to carry out a second, later, in February. An Arleigh Burke type destroyer arrived in Odessa on the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Crimea, ”Anderson said.