NATO: US to support Ukraine's army against Russian forces

(Vatican Radio) The top military commander of the NATO military alliance says the United States will help Ukraine's army respond more effectively against attacks from Russian troops and Russian-backed separatists in the east. U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove made the announcement in Kiev where he expressed concern about Russia's alleged attempts to control the Black Sea.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report: 

Breedlove expressed worries about what he called "Russian militarisation" of the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in March.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed it had deployed 14 fighter jets to Crimea as part of an eventual of 30 that be stationed on the peninsula.

As they landed, a senior commander said the creation of a new airborne regiment would help safeguard Russian interests in what he called “southern Russia”.

General Breedlove, who met Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev, said Russia's actions were part of attempts to extend its reach over the Black Sea.

He also warned that Russia has deployed troops and military equipment to eastern Ukraine to help pro-Russian separatists. “We don’t see combat formations but we see troops that are there specifically to get backbone, guidance and training to the Russian-backed forces in the east,” he told a news briefing.

Moscow has denied involvement in the conflict that has killed more than 4,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands in Ukraine alone. However Breedlove said Russia's actions have prompted the United States to increase its support to Ukraine's army.

 “The U.S. remains firmly committed providing finances, equipment and specialised expert advice to Ukraine to help security forces here respond more effectively to defend against the attacks they are facing daily from Russian troops and the Russian-backed forces in the east,” General Breedlove said.

Lithuania has already announced it may supply weapons to Ukraine. NATO countries had so far been reluctant to arm non-member Ukraine against the well-equipped rebels to avoid provoking Russia.

In September NATO and Ukraine carried out joint military exercises in the west of the country.

Other countries are worried too. Latvia's president has expressed concern over this week's signed deal deepening cooperation between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region sating it could threaten regional stability and security.