The fact that NATO warships have entered the Black Sea
is also a worrisome signal
MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. The planned US-Ukrainian military drills in the western Ukrainian Lviv region threaten Russia's security, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.
A tender posted Wednesday on the US government website says US troops plan to hold joint exercises with Ukraine’s military personnel between March 5 and October 31 at the International peacekeeping and security centre (IPSC) in Yavorov, in western Ukraine’s Lviv region.
Up to 300 troops of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, which is based in Italy, are being sent to the Yavorov firing range in the western Ukraine’s Lviv region, the diplomat said. These servicemen will train Ukraine’s troops "on how to use the overseas military equipment," he said.
"Therefore the US military are already in Ukraine. It is evident that they are not trying to bring peace to the country," Lukashevich said.
In August 2014, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US intended to allocate $19 million to provide training and equipment for Ukraine’s National Guard forces, which include the members of the Right Sector extremist group.
Last year, the US Congress prepared the Ukraine Freedom Support Act aimed at imposing sanctions against Russia and supplying weapons to Kiev. In mid-December, US President Barack Obama signed this document, but mentioned that the US administration would not yet take advantage of the new legislation.
NATO ships in Black Sea worrisome signal
Lukashevich also addressed the issue of NATO warships in the Black Sea. The spokesman said it's a worrisome signal and provocation that NATO ships have entered the Black Sea."I would call it a worrisome signal and provocative idea which does not add up to stability and confidence that the peace process in Ukraine will be stepped up," Lukashevich said. "Any military presence in the proximity of a regional conflict is always a very dangerous maneuver," the diplomat stressed
Source: ITAR-TASS 05-03-2015
