U.S. to start training Ukrainian Armed Forces in November

In November, the U.S. will launch a unique multi-million dollar program designed for training Ukrainian armed forces and special units, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said in his address to the nation broadcasted on Sunday evening.

"During my visit to New York, I agreed with the U.S. leadership on supply of non-lethal weapons to Ukraine … This week the U.S. Congress approved – not without efforts by the Ukrainian diplomacy — the allocation of significant financial resources in 2016 for military assistance to Ukraine. In November, the U.S. will start the unique multi-million training program of training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and special units," Poroshenko said.

The President stressed that truce and peace in Ukraine can only be ensured thanks to a reliable defense, therefore a draft budget for the next year would provide for a substantial increase in defense expenditure.