Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law approving a decision to allow foreign armed forces to take part in multinational military exercises on the country’s territory in 2017.
“January 26, 2017. Returned with a signature from the president,” according to a statement on the bill’s page on the Verkhovna Rada website.
It was reported that on Jan. 19 the Rada voted to allow foreign troops to enter Ukraine in 2017 to take part in military exercises, with 236 people’s deputies supporting the bill. Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy signed the document on Jan. 20.
The bill, which was proposed by the president, allows foreign troops to enter the country in 2017 to take part in multinational exercises, as well as two bilateral ones, Sea Breeze 2017 and Rapid Trident 2017, between U.S. and Ukrainian forces.
In particular, the bill allows into the country up to 3,000 troops from NATO countries, including the U.S., and Partnership for Peace (PfP) participating states, with weapons and equipment, including up to six aircraft and helicopters, for a period of up to 365 days.
In all, the drills, due to be held at the Yavoriv training center in Lviv region from January-December 2017, will involve up to 13,000 troops, including 10,000 from Ukraine, 1,500 from the U.S. and 1,500 from other NATO countries and PfP participating states.
For the Sea Breeze exercise in July-September 2017, Ukraine will let in up to 2,500 troops from the U.S., other NATO countries and PfP participating states for up to 25 days, with arms and military equipment, including up to ten ships, up to five submarines, up to ten aircraft and helicopters, and up to 60 wheeled vehicles.
In all, the drills in the Black Sea and adjacent training areas and military airfields in July-September will involve up to 3,500 troops, including up to 1,000 Ukrainians, 1,000 from the U.S. and 1,500 from other NATO countries and PfP participating states.
For the Rapid Trident 2017 exercise in June-November 2017, Ukraine will let in up to 2,000 troops from the U.S. and other NATO countries and PfP participating states for up to 25 days, with arms and military equipment, up to six planes and up to ten helicopters. In all, the exercise at the Yavoriv training center will involve 3,500 troops, including up to 1,500 Ukrainians, 1,000 U.S. troops and 1,000 from other NATO countries and PfP participating states.
An annex to the bill also contains a list of 16 exercises involving Ukrainian troops due to be held in 2017 outside Ukraine, including in Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Jordan; two in Bulgaria, Germany and Georgia each; and three in Romania. One multinational exercise (Saber Guardian 2017) will be held both in Romania and Bulgaria simultaneously.
