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Stethem makes liberty stop in Russia

The destroyer Stethem arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, on Wednesday for a port visit, the Navy announced.

The crew of the Yokosuka, Japan-based ship will join in local celebrations of Victory Day on May 9, the date when Russia marks the end of World War II and the Allied Forces’ victory in Europe. V-E Day is celebrated on May 7 or May 8 in other countries, including the United States.

“Our visit to Vladivostok is an outward gesture of the United States and Russian Federation’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Asian Pacific region,” Cmdr. Paul Lyons, Stethem commanding officer, said in a U.S. 7th Fleet news release. “It is my sincere hope ... that furthering the U.S.-Russia relationship will help other Asian Pacific nations see the stabilizing benefits that come from an open dialogue and dedication to the freedoms that our countries hold dear.”

Vladivostok, a major commercial port on a peninsula in eastern Russia, is a key headquarters to Russia’s Pacific Fleet. Recent visits by U.S. Navy vessels include the minesweeper Guardian, based in Sasebo, Japan, the guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville, and 7th Fleet command ship Blue Ridge, which visited Vladivostok in 2006.