Next year, the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces plan to join the NATO operation in the Mediterranean Sea, and it is also planned to send two representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the NATO Mission in Iraq.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andrey Taran during a briefing for ambassadors, military attachés of NATO countries and representatives of the NATO office in Ukraine.
According to him, by developing practical cooperation within the framework of NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Program (EOP), Ukraine strives to increase its contribution to NATO's activities and achieve the maximum level of compatibility.
"By joining the NATO Enhanced Capability Program, we strive to expand the horizons of our partnership with NATO, realizing that this is a 'two-way street': we have the best opportunities, but at the same time, obligations to achieve common goals," said Taran.
According to him, Ukraine is the first country among NATO partners to join the NATO Response Force (NRF). Since 2010, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been on duty in the NATO Response Forces. Ukraine has already declared a special-purpose operational-tactical group and one Il-76 transport aircraft in NRF-2021.
The Minister of Defense added that, even in the conditions of Russian aggression, Ukraine is and will be a reliable partner of the Alliance, which takes part in NATO-led operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan.
"Next year, the Naval Forces of Ukraine plan to join the "Sea Guard" operation in the Mediterranean Sea with two "Island" type patrol boats received from the United States as part of the security assistance package, and in 2023, the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, a frigate, will participate in the operation. Hetman Sahaidachnyi". Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense is taking measures to send two representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the NATO Mission in Iraq in 2021," the message says.
