The US and NATO have started helping the Ukrainian military "increase its capacities and capabilities," NATO's top military commander said during a visit to Kiev, reports GHN based on RT.
US Air Force General Philip Breedlove, who is the commander of the US European Command and NATO Allied Command Operations, said at a press conference during his Ukrainian visit on Wednesday that a "comprehensive" plan has been developed.
The general said that a plan to address the requirements of Ukraine's military has been created as a result of 25 visits, with parts of it already being executed. "The work is good, it has been given great support from my command," Breedlove said, adding that the forces will proceed with developing a "series of train-advise-assist capabilities" with the Ukrainian army.
The top military official has had a number of meetings with Ukraine's political and military leaders, including the country's president and defense minister. Stating that the partnership is important under "severe challenges," the general failed to elaborate on the alleged Russian military presence in Ukraine.
"The numbers that we have been using for some weeks haven't really changed much - between eight to ten battalion task groups on the border, but that's not the important part," Breedlove said, stating that what concerns the US is "the capability that is there."
"It's less about the exact number, it's more about the fact that there is a great force there that can be exerted if it's required," the US general said, adding that Russians inside Ukraine are "involved primarily in training, advising, assisting and helping" forces in the east of the country.
At the same time, US and NATO allies remain "firmly committed" to providing finances, equipment, and expert advice to the Ukrainian military, in order to be able to "defend against the attacks they're facing daily from Russian troops," according to Breedlove. He added that NATO is also providing a "package of measures," including cyber defense and logistics.