U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt joined Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Lengyel, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), visited Khmelnytskyi, where U.S. forces from the 10th Special Forces Group are training Ukrainian special operations forces as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine (JMTG-U)
During their visit, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Dolgov and Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Commander Major General Luniov briefed Ambassador Pyatt and Maj. Gen. Lengyel on the status of Ukraine’s special operations reform efforts. The delegation also had the opportunity to witness first-hand Ukrainian forces receiving classroom and field training from U.S. and Allied special operations forces aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s capability to defend itself against Russian aggression.
“What I saw on my trip reaffirmed my confidence that the Ukrainian military is committed to moving forward with the process of reform — moving toward European institutions, a NATO-standard military, a NATO-standard special forces capability. We’re very proud that the United States is part of that project” – U.S. Ambassador Pyatt said.
Training underway at Khmelnytskyi by the JMTG-U is taking place at the invitation of the Ukrainian government, and reflects the commitment of the United States to help Ukraine build a professional, NATO-standard fighting force. Since 2014, the United States has provided more than $266 million in equipment and training to help Ukrainian forces better monitor and secure their border, operate more safely and effectively, and defend their country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
