US to start training 780 Ukraine's National Guard soldiers shortly – Biden
US Vice President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that the United States would conduct training sessions for 780 Ukrainian National Guard soldiers as soon as possible, a statement on Poroshenko's website said Thursday, Sputnik reported.
The announcement was made during a phone conversation between Biden and Poroshenko.
"Joseph Biden spoke about the US president's decision to conduct training sessions for 780 soldiers of Ukraine's National Guard that are to take place shortly," the statement said.
According to Poroshenko's website, Biden also said that the first set of military vehicles will arrive in Ukraine in late March "to boost the defense capabilities of Ukraine."
The United States, alongside the United Kingdom, Canada and Poland, has earlier expressed the intention to send military advisers to Ukraine to train local troops.
On Tuesday, US Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges reportedly said that the training of three Ukrainian army battalions had been delayed in order to give more time for the implementation of the ceasefire agreements between Kiev forces and the independence supporters of Ukraine's southeast.