US Generals Studying 'Hybrid Warfare' in Eastern Ukraine - EUCOM Nominee

US Combatant Commanders are strategizing how the military can best handle what they consider to be "hybrid warfare" in Eastern Ukraine, the nominee for commander of the US European Command (EUCOM), Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, said in his confirmation hearing on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The general claimed that the methods used in Ukraine are below the level of what the United States normally considers to be conflict.

"[Combatant Commanders] are working on how best to handle this [with] the authorities, the doctrine and the capabilities that we need in order to deal with this type of conflict," Scaparrotti told the US Senate.

Earlier, Scaparrotti said the United States should permanently station troops in Eastern Europe to build stronger relationships with its allies in the region.

Moscow has repeatedly warned the United States and NATO that the military buildup on Russia’s borders is provocative and can harm regional and global stability.

Kiev has been conducting a military operation against Donbass independence supporters since spring 2014, when they refused to recognize the new coup-imposed Ukrainian government and declared sovereignty.

The Minsk deal on Ukraine's reconciliation was struck in February 2015 by Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France and later signed by Kiev and the Donbass self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Both warring parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce despite agreeing to the ceasefire deal.