The Verkhovna Rada approved participation of NATO soldiers in exercises in Ukraine
On Thursday, 19 January, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the holding of exercises in 2017 with the participation of NATO armed forces in the country. 236 of 329 MP’s present at the meeting voted in favor of the proposed law approving the decision of Petro Poroshenko. The remaining members did not vote, as indicated on the Rada’s website.
According to the addendums to the proposed legislation on the website of the Ukrainian parliament, the proposal for the international training exercises for the Armed Forces of Ukraine calls for 3,000 servicemen from the U.S. and other NATO countries, as well as the member-countries of the Partnership for Peace program that are providing weapons and military equipment to the country.
As part of the Sea-Breeze 2017 exercises, in July-September about 2,500 foreign soldiers with weapon and military equipment, 10 ships, 5 submarines, 10 aircraft and helicopters, and 60 motorized vehicles will be deployed in Ukraine.
About 2,000 servicemen from the U.S.A. and other NATO countries and the participants of the Partnership for Peace program will arrive in Ukraine between June and November.