USS Mount Whitney, the flagship of the United States Sixth Fleet, has entered the Black Sea for joint US-Ukrainian exercises dubbed Sea Breeze-2018, the United States Naval Forces Europe said.
The statement also noted that the drills aimed to promote peace and economic stability, while ship’s presence in the region assured NATO allies and partners of the US commitment to maritime security.
READ MORE: Moscow Takes Measures to Ensure Security Amid NATO Drills in Baltics — Official
In early July, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said that the drills would test the implementation of NATO standards by the Ukrainian Armed Forces as well as their interoperability with the alliance’s ships.