Ukraine troops receive training in US: Top defense officials
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US top defense officials reveal that Ukrainian troops are being trained in the United States on how to use military equipment provided by Washington.
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The US is training Ukrainian troops on how to use military equipment
Some Ukrainian troops are receiving military training in the United States including on how to use equipment provided by the Pentagon, top US defense officials revealed at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday.
The US government has provided Ukraine with $2.3 billion in security assistance since President Joe Biden took office last January, including thousands of anti-tank and anti-aircraft missile systems.
Roughly 70% of that aid was provided or obligated after Russia launched its operation in Ukraine on February 24.
"Some of them are being trained right here in the United States in our school system," US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley pointed out when asked if Ukrainian troops were being trained on how to use military equipment provided by Washington.
US training Ukrainians on how to use equipment
Milley mentioned the training was being conducted through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also confirmed the US was training Ukrainians on how to use the equipment.
"To use some of the gear? Certainly, they have to have training. And we're doing that," Austin stressed. "And you can take advantage of the Ukrainians that are already here [in the US] to leverage them as well," he added.
US' "unwavering" support for Ukraine
This comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed US military support for Ukraine with Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznik over the phone, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby.
According to the statement, Austin talked with Reznik to "affirm unwavering US support for Ukraine and to discuss the changing dynamics on the battlefield."
Yesterday, the Pentagon announced that the US is giving out a package of arms worth some $300 million to Ukraine, detailing that the package would include military equipment ranging from laser-guided rocket systems to armored Humvees and drones.
