Washington (CNN) -- The Navy warship USS Donald Cook is scheduled to enter the Black Sea no later than Thursday as part of the latest U.S. military effort to demonstrate support for Eastern European allies concerned about Russia's troop buildup along its border with Ukraine. The movement of the guided missile destroyer was confirmed to CNN by two U.S. military officials who declined to be identified because a formal announcement has not been made. The ship will conduct exercises and port visits while in the Black Sea. The guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun took part in scheduled exercises in the Black Sea last month and departed March 21.
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The USS Donald Cook will be in the Black Sea by Thursday
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Russian troops are still massed on the Ukraine border
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NATO representatives will meet April 15 to discuss the situation
Other options on the table include more military exercises with member nations including the United States and potentially providing military advisers to @placeholder.