Second US Destroyer to 'Support Ukraine' in Black Sea
The US is sending a second destroyer into the Black Sea as a gesture of support for Ukraine and other allies.
A US senior defense official was quoted by NBC News as saying that the USS Donald Cook, a guided missile destroyer based in Spain, could be in the Black Sea "in the next week or so".
The Pentagon has confirmed that the unit is heading to the sea, without specifying the date of its arrival.
Donald Cook will reportedly make several port calls and participate in upcoming drills with US allies.
This is the second US destroyer to be sent to the Sea after USS Truxtun entered it on March 21 to take part in NATO exercises with Bulgarian and Romanian vessels.
Bulgaria's public broadcaster BNT announced earlier that Truxtun's mission is to be extended, which will make two destroyers present in the sea's waters.
Turkey, which controls the Black Sea Straits, has not yet announced whether it will give passage to the vessel.
NATO member states declared this week plans to bolster security at the alliance's eastern borders, and to step up defense in Poland and the Baltic States.
Three countries of holding membership in the bloc - Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey - also have a Black sea coastline.
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