Ukraine has launched joint military exercises with the United States and other NATO troops today, just days after Russia and Belarus launched large-scale exercises that have raised concerns in neighboring countries, and Moscow today announced the launch of open-air exercises in the Black Sea.
Kyiv’s relations with Moscow deteriorated severely in 2014 after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and backed pro-Russian separatists in the Ukrainian region of Donbas. More than 13,000 people have been killed in the seven-year conflict with the separatists.
Ukraine wants closer co-operation with Western armies in the hope of one day joining NATO.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said that 4,000 Ukrainian and 2,000 foreign troops will take part in the “RAPID TRIDENT-2012” exercise, which will last until October 1.
“I believe that each of you will focus all your knowledge, all your efforts in order to show the aggressive countries that they have no hope,” said Ihor Palachnyuk, commander of the Ukrainian forces.
The U.S. military says in a statement that a high-ranking Washington National Guard brigade has been deployed in Ukraine since April.
The military exercises are attended by troops from a total of 12 countries with the aim of “improving cooperation between allies and partners” and demonstrating their readiness.
These exercises take place after military exercises by Russia and Belarus in recent weeks, which were attended by 200,000 troops, according to Moscow. Kyiv and NATO also accused Russia of deploying additional troops near the Ukrainian border.