The US is considering the possibility of participating more actively in Ukrainian affairs, including enhanced military training of Ukrainian armed forces, Der Spiegel wrote.
The program is designed to help the Ukrainian Army to fight against Donbass militias in the eastern regions of the country. The final decision on the program is still pending: the US proposal has to be assessed by its European partners.
According to Spiegel, Hodges views the program as an effective way to help Ukrainian forces, avoiding weapons supplies. He continued his anti-Russian rhetoric, claiming that Russia is interested in a weak Ukraine.
The US military instructors are currently engaged in training of battalions of the National Guard of Ukraine, including those involved in the conflict in Donbass.
Representatives of Ukraine and Western countries have repeatedly accused Russia of its alleged involvement in the conflict in Donbass. Russian Foreign Ministry called such allegations "unsubstantiated public insinuations." International inspections have not detected any violations on the part of Russia, including undeclared military activities on the Ukrainian border.