Georgia is not participating in the Multinational Exercise Defender 23, which began in Europe on April 22.

The Defender 23 exercise is led by US Army Europe and Africa and has been planned since 2021. It will take place from 22 April to 23 June.

"The Defender 23 includes more than 7,800 U.S. and 15,000 multi-national service members from more than Allied and partner nations. Military exercises are dynamic and, often, fluid events. As such, nations anticipating participation may change for any number of reasons with little or short notice.

The countries currently participating in the Defender 23 include, but are not limited to: Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. As of this date, Georgia is not participating," U.S. Army Europe and Africa told the Accent.

As for the importance of exercises such as the Defender 23, US Army Europe and Africa said that "they help solidify relationships and build on time-tested alliances by improving interoperability and strengthening already established relationships with Allied and partnered nations."

According to the Pentagon, the Defender 23 exercise is designed to demonstrate the U.S. military's ability to rapidly deploy combat-credible troops and equipment to assure allies, deter those who would threaten the peace of Europe and defend the continent from aggression. The exercise also demonstrates the commitment of European nations to increase the scale, capability and interoperability of their own militaries.

"This annual, nearly two-month long exercise is focused on the strategic deployment of U.S.-based forces, employment of Army pre-positioned stocks and interoperability with European allies and partners," said deputy Pentagon press secretary, Sabrina Singh during a briefing on April 5 at the Pentagon.