AKIPRESS.COM - The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Donald Cook, the second American military ship to be deployed in the Black Sea amid the Ukraine crisis, is scheduled to arrive in the designated waters Thursday, China Daily reported referring to a Pentagon spokesman, Steve Warren.

“The Donald Cook's mission is to reassure NATO allies and Black Sea partners of America's commitment to strengthen and improve interoperability while working towards mutual goals in the region,” Warren explained.

The destroyer will also take part in exercises and operations to improve interoperability, readiness and enhance relationships.

Prior to the arrival of USS Donald Cook, the USS Truxtun, another guided-missile destroyer, had carried out rounds of drills in the Black Sea.