Ukraine President Tells Poles He Wants EU, NATO Membership

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U.S. National Defense University delegation on visit in Ukrainian Land Forces Academy | Міністерство оборони України
Wednesday, March 25. LVIV — A delegation of U.S. National Defense University led by Col. Robert Timm is on visit in Hetman Petro Sahaydachnyi Land Forces Academy. This visit is aimed at learning the training specifics of Ukrainian military specialists.

The guests also toured the International peacekeeping and security center of the Academy where the mobilized servicemen are undergoing drills.

Lt. Gen. Pavlo Tkachuk, Chief of Land Forces Academy, spoke about history and current activities of the academy and answered the questions.

 

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Wednesday, March 25. KYIV — Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine held talks with Senator Bogdan Klich, Polish Parliament. The parties discussed current situation in Ukraine, key issues of bilateral cooperation and aid provision to Ukrainian army.

Ivan Rusnak stressed despite the systematic violations of the Minsk agreements by RF and terrorists, the Ukrainian senior officials direct efforts at peaceful resolution and prevention of a new frozen conflict in Europe and said: “Ukrainian party praises your attention paid to working relations between our ministries, development and reforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian-Polish defense cooperation”.

He underlined the necessity to exchange views on further ways of cooperation between defense ministries of Ukraine and Poland on activities of the International consultative group at the Ukraine’s MoD: “We believe the International consultative group is a key tool of sustainable support of defense and security reforms in Ukraine”.

Ivan Rusnak remarked the importance of ratification by the Polish party of Agreement on formation of joint military brigade LITPOLUKRBRIG. He reassured the Ukrainian MoD and Armed Forces would use best endeavors to finalize preparation to signing the Technical Agreement and all the procedures required.

Senator Bogdan Klich spoke about Polish readiness to increase the defense potential of Ukraine and stressed the Polish experts would contribute to reforms in the Ukrainian security sector.

 

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Ministry of National Defence Republic of Lithuania :: News » News Releases
2015.03.25

On March 25-26 Vice Minister of National Defence Marijus Velička is conducting a visit to Ukraine where he is meeting with representatives of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and defence industry and taking part in the events of the NATO Contact Point Embassy in Kiev.

At a meeting Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine Petro Mekhed Vice Minister of National Defence M. Velička will discuss security situation in the country, the assistance sent by Lithuania and other nations, and other pressing points of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

At a meeting with representatives of Ukraine’s defence industry M.Velička addressed possibilities and perspectives of cooperation with Lithuanian manufacturers and association. Ukraine’s representatives visited Lithuania in late 2014.

While in Ukraine, M. Velička also took part in the Youth Security Forum in Kiev, there are also meetings scheduled with representatives of Zakarpattia Oblast and the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Lithuania, and opening ceremony of NATO Room at Uzhhorod National University.

 

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Ukrainian-Czech Defense Cooperation Forum kicks off in Kyiv | Міністерство оборони України
Thursday, March 26. KYIV – The Central Offices’ House of the Ukrainian Armed forces hosts the Ukrainian-Czech Defense Cooperation Forum.

The event is attended by Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, delegation of Czech Ministry of Defense led by Mr. Daniel Koštoval, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic, as well as representatives of structural units of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The event is aimed at intensification of the Ukrainian-Czech defense and defense industrial cooperation, defining the prospects of cooperation concerning provision of the Ukrainian army with up-to-date weapons and equipment, uniform.

In the framework of the forum the exposition of items (helmets, armor vests, sights, uniform, footwear etc.) manufactured by Czech defense companies is open in the Central Officers’ House.

In his opening remark Ivan Rusnak thanked the Czech party for assistance and stressed: “I’m sure this forum will intensify the relations between Czech and Ukrainian armed forces, improve regional defense cooperation. We’ll make every endeavor to implement all the achieved arrangements”.

Mr. Daniel Koštoval reassured the Ukrainian party in solidarity with Ukraine and underlined the forum results would be implemented in practice: “We have some proposals concerning development of bilateral defense cooperation and are ready for implementation of joint projects”.

Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic said Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic was ready to pay an official visit to Ukraine in order to implement the initiated projects.

Ukrainian-Czech defense cooperation forum is organized in the form of meetings of five working groups on: military political cooperation, military technical cooperation, logistic cooperation, medical cooperation, demonstration of Czech UAVs etc.

 

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Mar. 26, 2015
Czech assistance arrives in Kyiv - watch on - uatoday.tv
Equipment will help outfit some 700 Ukrainian soldiers



A Czech airforce plane has delivered hundreds of backpacks and tents to Ukraine.

There is enough gear in this plane to equip some 700 Ukrainian soldiers.

A large delegation of Czech officials accompanied the shipment and will meet with Ukrainian military officers. Czech officials have said they are also ready to train Ukrainian soldiers up to NATO standards.

 

[boomslang]

..... I'm on the Russian's side until they show actual unreasonability.

NOW, we're scared.

 

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Reuters: Poland says will train 50 Ukrainian military staff this year

Polish soldiers watch as US troops from the 5th Battalion of the 7th Air Defense Regiment emplace a launching station of the Patriot air and missile defence system at a test range in Sochaczew, Poland, on March 21, 2015 as part of a joint exercise.
© AFP

Poland will provide training to around 50 Ukrainian army instructors this year, the Polish ministry of defense said on March 31, a part of NATO's efforts to boost Ukraine's defense capacity as it faces a pro-Russian rebellion in the east

 

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Thursday, April 2. KYIV — Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, held talks with the delegation of the analytical center ‘Atlantic Council’ led by Mr. John Herbst, Director of Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine.

The meeting was held to evaluate the security situation in Ukraine, hear U.S. recommendations on development of capabilities of Ukraine in defense of territorial integrity and discussion of defense needs for Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ivan Rusnak spoke about current military political situation in Ukraine, mobilization process. He underlined Ukraine observes the Minsk agreements. Meanwhile, the situation is still tense in east of Ukraine.

“Despite uneven confrontation with aggressor, Ukraine is ready to defend and protect its territorial integrity and hopes the partner nations, particularly, the USA will support it”, First Deputy Minister of Defense noted.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation defined the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army: improvement of command and communications system, intelligence, forces of special operations, logistics and military medicine, professional training of troops, as well as reception of equipment to resist mortar, rocket launchers attacks used by terrorists.

As initiated by the U.S. party, they discussed the issue of possibility of modernization of military equipment at Ukrainian defense enterprises.

Ivan Rusnak remarked the Ukrainian enterprises were ready to repair and modernize all the military equipment; however, the spare parts were supplied from Russian Federation. Ukraine is currently searching suppliers of these spare parts.

The armed forces need reconnaissance equipment, electronic warfare equipment and communications equipment.

 

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Monday, April 6. KYIV — Colonel General Stepan Poltorak, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, held talks with representatives of the Estonian Defense Ministry and expressed gratitude to the Estonian Government and People for their assistance to Ukraine. Minister stressed: “We’ve gained invaluable experience during combat operations and are reforming the Ukrainian army. Thanks to patriotism and aid of the international community, I’m confident and know Ukraine will never be on knee, our army is capable to defeat the enemy’s aggression”.

The parties discussed the ongoing situation in east of Ukraine, defense industry of Ukraine and the Estonian delegation shared experience on defense reforms.

Lieutenant General Riho Terras, Chief of Defense of Estonia, gave a range of proposals concerning further military cooperation, particularly, Estonian cyber protection experience.

Colonel General Victor Muzhenko, Chief of General Staff, stressed the Russian aggression was the challenge for Ukraine, Europe and Alliance.

“We have combat experience and we’re ready to share it with partners”, Colonel General Victor Muzhenko noted.

Moreover, the guests laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Kyiv Park of the Eternal Glory.

 

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Netherlands takes first step to ratify EU-Ukraine association| Ukrinform
KYIV, April 7 /Ukrinform/. The lower house of the Dutch parliament has ratified the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, the majority of MPs supported the ratification.

According to the procedure, the document must also be approved by the upper house of the parliament.

As a reminder, the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement has already been ratified by Ireland, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, Estonia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Germany.

 

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Ukraine signs two agreements with NATO| Ukrinform
KYIV, April 8 /Ukrinform/.The government has taken a decision to sign two documents on military and technical cooperation with NATO.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has said this at the government meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The government is signing an agreement on cooperation in the field of support with NATO. It is an agreement on support between the Ukrainian government and NATO, which envisages the implementation of four trust projects with NATO, including military and technical cooperation, communications, new communications and information technologies," he said.

"Ukraine needs to rebuild its armed forces using the example of the strongest armies and associations which are fighting for global peace, and which adhere to NATO standards," the PM stated.

 

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Turchynov names strategic allies of Ukraine| Ukrinform

KYIV, April 9 /Ukrinform/. The main foreign policy priority for Ukraine will be strengthening of the partnership with the United States as the sole guarantor of international security within the Euro-Atlantic area.

This has been announced by secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov at the presentation of the draft national security strategy until 2020, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The strategy identifies that the main foreign policy priority is deepening the partnership with the United States as the guarantor of international security within the Euro-Atlantic area," Turchynov said.

In addition, Ukraine is committed to the development of a "privileged partnership" with the United Kingdom, Poland, as well as Canada, Australia, Japan, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Romania, Moldova and Georgia - the countries, which Ukraine considers to be its "reliable allies."

"The partnership with Germany and France, the member states of the EU and NATO, is also a priority of our foreign policy," Turchynov noted.

Belgium to ratify EU-Ukraine association agreement till May| Ukrinform
KYIV, April 9 /Ukrinform/. The parliament of Belgium intends to complete the process of ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement before the end of the month.

Member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament of Belgium Georges Dahlmann said this to an Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels.

"I am pleased to report that the committee on foreign affairs approved the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. It is subject to ratification by the end of the month," the Belgian parliamentarian said.

He noted that it was "great news."

As reported, the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement has already been ratified by Ireland, Denmark, Hungary, Sweden, Estonia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Germany.

 

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UK ratifies EU-Ukraine Association Agreement| Ukrinform

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KYIV, April 10 /Ukrinform/. The UK has ratified the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

British Embassy in Ukraine wrote it on its Facebook page.

"The UK has ratified the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU," reads the statement.

According to the official website of the EU, ratification took place on April 8.

 

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Canada to send military mission to Ukraine| Ukrinform
KYIV, April 11 /Ukrinform/. Canada will send to Ukraine a military mission for training Ukrainian soldiers.

This is reported by CTV television channel with reference to sources in the government.

According to journalists, Canadian government is currently working out the details of future training mission.

It is noted that Canadian military would not be involved in hostilities.

It is emphasized that Canada will obviously work in close cooperation with the U.S. allies, who begin training the National Guard of Ukraine on 20 April.