A U.S. aircraft carrier is ready to lead an international attack if Russia escalates attacks against Ukraine and its allies, Newsweek reported. 

The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is in the Adriatic Sea as part of the NATO exercise Neptune Strike 2022.

Allied and partner nations participating include Albania; Canada; Croatia, Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Lithuania; North Macedonia; Poland; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Sweden; Turkey; the United Kingdom and the United States.

'Neptune Strike 2022' is a clear demonstration of the power and capabilities of the Alliance in all areas of operations, said Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet and NATO Support Forces.

Neptune Strike 2022 is a shining example of NATO's ability to integrate the high-tech maritime combat capabilities of an allied carrier strike group, ensuring our collective deterrence and defense capabilities.

The deployment includes more than 80 aircraft, 14 ships and about 6,000 troops from 24 NATO allies and partners, including Finland and Sweden.

As part of the exercise, U.S. Navy F-18s flew from an aircraft carrier to Lithuania in recent days, working alongside France, Latvia and Hungary. Before that, the same fighter jet reportedly joined Canadian fighters for patrols over Romania.

U.S. Navy spokeswoman for Europe and Africa Captain Tamara Lawrence confirmed to Newsweek in that the aircraft carrier is participating in the Neptune Strike program.

Admiral Dennis Velez said he saw two Russian warships observing NATO exercises, both entities acting in accordance with international law and on their own initiative in international waters.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the aircraft carrier on Tuesday, calling it a demonstration of U.S. capabilities and commitment to the alliance.

This exercise is a great example of transatlantic communication, of Europe and North America working together within NATO, Stoltenberg said.

He also warned Russia not to use false pretexts for further escalation.

Hans Christensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project of the Federation of American Scientists, warned that Russia might test nuclear weapons at the same time as the NATO Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise.