As Washington continues to maintain its presence in the Caucasus, the US Navy is to send its USS Stout (DDG-55) into joint maneuvers with the Georgian armada.

According to RIA Novosti, the guided-missile destroyer is to berth at the port of Batumi in southwestern Georgia tomorrow for exercises which test joint cooperation against unpredicted complexities at sea.

The warship will then depart for Georgia's western port of Poti.

Similar US moves have trailed Georgia's August 2008 invasion of its independence-seeking republic of South Ossetia. The attacks were responded by the Russian army.

Moscow has raised suspicion about the naval visits citing Washington's military aid for Georgia before and during the attack. The US, though, claims the visits are meant to strengthen naval partnership and ensure regional stability.

HN/MD