WASHINGTON - As fighting between the army and Russian-backed rebels rages in eastern Ukraine, preparations are under way near its western border for a joint military exercise this month with more than 1,000 troops from the United States and its allies.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
Reuters: US, allies to stage exercises in west Ukraine as battles rage in east
A soldier from the US Pennsylvania National Guard (L) speaks to a Lithuanian soldier as they take part in a field training exercise during the first phase Saber Strike 2014, at the Rukla military base, Lithuania, on June 14, 2014.
