US, Ukraine Snub Russian Ire, Pushes Joint Military Training; US Meddling A ‘Clear Escalation’ Of Crisis, Says US Activist

The 300 paratroopers the United States sent last week to Ukraine have started conducting their joint military training with the local Kiev troops. The six-month Operation "Fearless Guardian-2015” will be held in Yaroviv near the Polish border. But an American activist seemed to echo Russia’s suggestions that the presence of the U.S. troops will all the more escalate the crisis in Ukraine.

Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said the arrival of the U.S. troops and the kick-off of the military exercises signifies the West’s willingness to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty from whatever further incursions Russia is planning. He noted not only the U.S. has sent in help, but also the U.K., Canada and Poland. “We are not alone in this fight,” Mr Poroshenko told the crowd on a parade ground during a cold downpour.

But Joe Iosbaker, a leader of the United National Antiwar Coalition, pointed out sending in the troops proved to be a “clear escalation of US intervention” in Ukraine. The training mission was announced by the U.S. last summer. It had been planned for March. But the U.S. delayed its implementation after negotiations in Minsk, Belarus led to a ceasefire agreement in February. The agreement continues to be in effect.

Iosbaker told Press TV that when the ceasefire went into effect two months ago, President Obama urged the Russians to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine. “Now this training mission. The U.S. is pouring gas on a fire by sending in these ‘advisers’; it’s wrong, they should be removed,” he said.

Army Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, cited by Reuters, said the U.S. troops will be training their 900 Ukrainian counterparts on everything “from medical care and casualty evacuation to how to shoot and move as part of a small military unit.” US Army Major Michael Weisman told AFP special focus will be given on defence manoeuvres on weapons already being used by the Ukrainian forces, including the AK-47 assault rifles.

“We will be conducting classes on war-fighting functions, as well as training to sustain and increase the professionalism and proficiency of military staffs,” U.S. Army Maj. Jose Mendez, operations officer of the 173rd brigade, said in a statement.

Mr Poroshenko said he is confident the military exercises, “the first of such scale and content,” will be effective in reinforcing and stabilising the situation the country is facing, particularly against Russia.

Russia last week warned the U.S.-Ukraine military training “could destabilize” the already tense situation in the country. Warren downplayed the Kremlin’s allegations. "I would say it's Russia that is destabilizing Ukraine," he said. "They are the ones who are continuing to supply lethal weapons. They are continuing to send Russian forces, combat forces, into Ukraine."

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