US General Frederick Hodges Promises to Train Ukrainian Servicemen

The general said that the US will help Ukrainian forces protect their country. He also pledged to use every effort to share US Army’s experience with Ukraine.

US Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges, Commander of the United States Army Europe (USAREUR), pledged to teach Ukrainian servicemen skills of the US personnel, the press office of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported Tuesday.

Hodges held a meeting with Lt. Gen. Nikolai Balan, Commander of Ukraine’s National Guard, in Kiev on Tuesday. The USAREUR delegation also included Evelyn Farkas, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, and representatives of the command. During the meeting, issues on international cooperation were discussed.

Hodges said that the US will help Ukrainian forces protect their country. He also promised to use every effort to share US Army’s experience with Ukraine.

The general also shared his impressions about his visit to the Center for Peacekeeping Security in Yavorov, western Ukraine, where US military instructors train National Guard forces. Hodges said he is content with the training.

"For us it is crucial to adopt the experience of our American colleagues and to craft our combat skills in defending Ukraine’s national sovereignty," Balan said.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Minister said that sending US military instructors to Ukraine can be considered the first step to supplying Kiev with advanced American weaponry.