The US warship USS Donald Cook departed the Black Sea two weeks after being mobilized to reassure the allies of the United States' commitment to the region, during the tense situation in Ukraine. The ship conducted a port visit and exercises at sea with the Romanian navy and the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Taylor, according to the US Navy.

The day before the scheduled departure from the Black Sea, Donald Cook conducted a surface exercise with Taylor and the Romanian navy ships ROS Regina Maria (F 222) and ROS Marasesti (F 111). The exercise consisted of a simulated attack by small, fast attack craft, requiring exercise participants to work in close communication with each other to repel the simulated attack.

The only American ship remaining in the Black Sea is the frigate USS Taylor. Earlier in April Russians denounced the presence of USS Taylor in the Black Sea, saying it exceeded the legal stay. According to the Montreux Convention from 1936, warships from countries other than those with Black Sea access can only stay in the Black Sea for 21 days maximum.

editor@romania-insider.com