US Vets Ukraine Militia on Human Rights Violations Before Training

US State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke said that the US government will do all of the appropriate vetting, including human rights vetting, as part of that process before training of Ukraine forces.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US government will continue to review human rights violations when vetting Ukraine militia groups for military training, US State Department spokesperson Jeff Rathke told reporters on Monday.

“For any training [of Ukraine forces], we do all of the appropriate vetting, including human rights vetting, as part of that process,” Rathke said.

Rathke responded to a question about US Congressional legislation that would forbid the funding of Ukraine Neo-Nazi groups like the Azov battalion.

“With respect to the Azov battalion, they are not involved in training, we haven’t had plans to train them,” Rathke added.

The United States looks forward to working with Ukraine to identify the best candidates for US-provided training, the spokesperson explained.

International watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly expressed concerns over crimes against civilians committed by the Azov battalion as well as other Ukraine paramilitary groups.

In April 2015, the US Army sent 300 paratroopers to western Ukraine to train the country’s National Guard. The Kiev government has said it is planning to hold three joint drills with US troops later in 2015.