As Ukraine runs low on the ammunition it needs to continue fighting off the Russian invasion and foreign stockpiles grow bare, some . [citation needed]. NATO Countries Pour Weapons Into Ukraine, Risking Conflict With Russia Brussels is proud to be providing military aid, but Moscow may see it as a dangerous intervention. "Today I asked the 27 leaders of Europe whether Ukraine will be in NATO, I asked directly," he said during a February 2022 speech. [19][20][21][22] Some 69% of Ukrainians want to join NATO, according to a June 2017 poll by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation, compared to 28% support in 2012 when Yanukovych was in power. Finland and Sweden, two longtime proponents of neutrality, changed their tune in the face of war, expressing a wish to join the body. "[12] Before further actions on NATO membership were taken, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. ), GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: JUNE 2021, " : ", ATTITUDE TOWARDS UKRAINE'S ACCESSION TO THE EU AND NATO, Are Ukrainians ready for a great war: the results of a sociological study, THE FOURTH NATIONAL POLL OF UKRAINIANS DURING THE WAR (MARCH 12-13, 2022), THE SEVENTH NATIONAL POLL: UKRAINE DURING THE WAR (MARCH 30-31, 2022), IRI NATIONAL SURVEY: PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE (JUNE 2022), THIRTEENTH NATIONAL SURVEY: FOREIGN POLICY ORIENTATIONS (JUNE 18-19, 2022), GEOPOLITICAL ORIENTATIONS OF RESIDENTS OF UKRAINE: RESULTS OF A TELEPHONE SURVEY CONDUCTED ON JULY 6-20, 2022, FOREIGN POLICY ORIENTATIONS OF THE UKRAINIANS IN DYNAMICS (OCTOBER 1-2, 2022), TWENTIETH NATIONAL POLL. He stressed that Ukraine has already made several reforms necessary to become a member of NATO, as well as to carry out additional reforms. The Republic of Moldova does not allow the deployment of armed forces of other states on its territory.". All rights reserved. Poverty complaints are 'bollocks' says Tory deputy chair: 'They dont know what poverty is', Maternity expert pulls out of conference accused of promoting 'normal birth' ideology, One of history's most famous psychological experiments was probably fake, British expats are abandoning Costa del Sol to live among locals in 'authentic Spain', 'It doesn't matter what he thinks': EU rubbishes Boris Johnson's Brexit intervention, Stephen Bear jailed for 21 months for revenge porn video of ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison, Ken Bruce's final show reminded us he doesn't just talk to everyone, he listens to them, too, Who hates my naked protests most? The US and NATO pledged to protect "every inch of NATO territory" amid Russia's assault on Ukraine. According to him, America must have "enough political will" for such a step. FOREIGN POLICY MOODS (JANUARY 14-16, 2023), Endgame in NATO's Enlargement: The Baltic States and Ukraine, Ukrainians supporting NATO membership in minority poll, Before Crisis, Ukrainians More Likely to See NATO as a Threat, Ukrainians May Oppose President's Pro-Western Goals, Poll: Most Crimean residents consider Ukraine their motherland, "Umland, Andreas Why Ukraine's Hope for NATO Membership Is Understandable, But Will Remain Unfulfilled | IndraStra Global Sowiport", "Electronic petitions to the president of Ukraine. Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya denied any plans for invasion and said Russia was within its rights to station troops anywhere within its own territory. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. [148], On 1 March Stoltenberg convinced the President of Poland to forgo sending any fighter aircraft to Ukraine because of the risk of attracting Russian attacks onto its territory, which would likely cause NATO to invoke Article 5 of its constitution. "[49] The Ukrainian parliament headed by Arsenii Yatseniuk was unable to hold its regular parliamentary session following the decision of the parliamentary opposition to prevent the parliament from functioning in a protest against joining NATO. Aviation assets involved in the Which European countries are included in this of 27 in! The strike triggered Nato crisis talks, with three US officials telling Associated Press that preliminary assessments suggested the missile was launched by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian salvo. Here. [225] Nonetheless, the United States oversaw NATO's first round of expansion in 1999. "[112][113][114] On 8 October 2020, during a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine needed a NATO MAP, as NATO membership will contribute to Ukraine's security and defense. [221], According to a sociological survey conducted by the Ukrainian Institute for the Future together with the sociological company New Image Marketing Group in January 2022, 64% of Ukrainians support Ukraine's accession to NATO, while 17% do not support it, 13% do not have an unequivocal opinion on this issue. And impose their own authoritarian models of governance. "[120], On 10 April 2021, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran stated that the top priority of the Ukrainian political leadership is to obtain the Action Plan for Membership (MAP) in the North Atlantic Alliance in 2021. [141] The same day, Stoltenberg advised Russia "in the strongest possible terms, to choose the path of diplomacy, and to immediately reverse its massive military build-up in and around Ukraine. "[131] Stoltenberg replied that "It's only Ukraine and 30 NATO allies that decide when Ukraine is ready to join NATO. Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands were all planning or considering sending troops, planes or ships to eastern Europe, NATO said. Russia has no veto, Russia has no say, and Russia has no right to establish a sphere of influence to try to control their neighbors. 'Joining NATO referendum' (replied). Regarding military action, Nato says it is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. On 15 June 2004, in the second edition of the Military Doctrine of Ukraine, approved by the decree of Kuchma, a provision appeared on the implementation by Ukraine of a policy of Euro-Atlantic integration, the ultimate goal of which was to join NATO. Russian . My answer is no we will not choose, will not sacrifice one for the other. [11] Secretary-General Stoltenberg also stressed that Russia will not be able to veto Ukraine's accession to NATO, as we will not return to the era of spheres of interest, when large countries decide what smaller ones should do:[12]. Oddly enough it's feminists, One of the UK's smallest towns has an award-winning pub and England's oldest fishing society, The golden health rules GPs live by, including why you should ditch your weekend lie-ins, Leaving the city for my kids was the worst decision after 19 months we sold up and came back, When the cost of living payments could be paid in 2023, and how much people will get, Thanks for the WhatsApps, Matt your hypocrisy and appalling judgement have been confirmed, How many episodes of The Last of Us there are and when the series ends, My dream home has more than 100 safety issues - how is this allowed to happen after Grenfell? "[137][138], On 16 February, NATO's commanders were instructed by Secretary-General Stoltenberg to work out the details of a battlegroup deployment to the alliance's southeastern flank because there were no signs of a Russian de-escalation yet.[139]. Here are the other 26 countries that compose NATO, in alphabetical order following the U.S.: United States Albania Belgium Bulgaria Canada Croatia Czech Republic Denmark France Germany Greece. [55][56], At the NATO summit in Bucharest in April 2008, NATO decided it would not yet offer membership to Georgia and Ukraine; nevertheless, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that Georgia and Ukraine would eventually become members. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Its headquarters are in Brussels in Belgium. In this regard, on 10 January 2022, US and Russian diplomats held security talks in Geneva to discuss the military activities of both countries and growing tensions around Ukraine. The position that Ukraine and Georgia will never become members of the North Atlantic Alliance, Ryabkov said, is a priority for the Kremlin. When Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago last February, the National Atlantic Treaty Organization swiftly condemned the unprovoked assault as a war of aggression against Ukraine, a sovereign and peaceful country. Some of the country's neighbors are long-standing members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He stated "Not a single Russian politician, not a single public figure, not a single person said that we are planning to attack Ukraine." Reset Map About Share Map EN | FR. The Pentagon has put up to 8,500 US troops on heightened alert, so they will be prepared to deploy if needed to reassure other allies. Dmitry Peskov said that "before there is any understanding of how we will continue, we need to get the text. [128][129][130] He said that "In a dialogue with the United States and its allies, we will insist on working out specific agreements that would exclude any further NATO moves eastward and the deployment of weapons systems that threaten us in close vicinity to Russian territory. NATO serves as a collective security system, wherein its member states agree to mutually defend any attack on a member party by any external actor. [citation needed], On 27 April 2006, at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, the representative of the NATO Secretary General, James Appathurai, stated that all members of the alliance support the speedy integration of Ukraine into NATO. [105] In that same month President Poroshenko began proposing a 'patronage system', tying individual regions with European States. [67], During the 2010 presidential election campaign, Party of Regions leader and candidate Viktor Yanukovych stated that the current level of Ukraine's cooperation with NATO was sufficient and that the question of the country's accession to the alliance was therefore not urgent. Yanukovych's premiership ended following 2007 parliamentary election, when Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defense Bloc formed a coalition government, with Yulia Tymoshenko as Prime Minister. [42], On 21 April 2005, in Vilnius, as part of an informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the NATO countries, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission was held, which opened a new stage in Ukraine's relations with the alliance "intensive dialogue", which was intended to be the first step towards Ukraine's entry into NATO. Russia's demands were unacceptable. Russia vehemently opposes Natos expansion to include Ukraine, and has demanded a formal veto on it ever becoming a member. [102], In July 2016 NATO published a summary of the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAPU) after the Heads of State meeting in Warsaw. Here are the countries, along with the year they joined: The map below shows Ukraines crucial strategic position in Eastern Europe, with the country currently providing a significant buffer between Russia and its Nato neighbours. Blasts were also heard in Ukraines second largest city, Kharkiv, and the Black Sea ports of Odessa and Mariupol, where Russian troops have landed. It uses a system of collective security, whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. [26] On 22 and 23 February 1992, NATO Secretary-General Manfred Wrner paid an official visit to Kyiv, and on 8 July 1992, Kravchuk visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels. In addition, this bill proposes to create a mechanism for the rapid imposition of sanctions against Nord Stream 2 in the event of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Poland. A view of damage after attacks as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Bakhmut, Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2023. The Alliance continues to provide Ukraine with political support for its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as practical assistance. There are currently 30 countries in Nato; 27 in Europe, two in North America and one in Eurasia. Massive sanctions and heavy political costs have been imposed on Russia to bring an end to this war. On 28 June 2021, Ukraine and NATO forces launched joint naval drills in the Black Sea codenamed Sea Breeze 2021. Ukraine's border countries are: Moldova. Russia had been amassing up to 200,000 troops along the Ukraine border for weeks, amid threats of international sanctions. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Nato was founded in April 1949 in Washington DC. Unless the Kremlin changes course, it will continue down the road of increasing isolation and economic pain." Romania. We are watching closely as Russia draws troops to Ukraine's borders. [65][66], At the NATO-Ukraine consultations at the level of Defense Ministers held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels in November 2009, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised Ukraine's first Annual National Program, which outlined the steps it intended to take to accelerate internal reform and alignment with Euro-Atlantic standards, as an important step on Ukraine's path to becoming a member of the Alliance. His remarks came as Ukrainians began fleeing the country with roads gridlocked, underground train stations packed and queues at bus stops, petrol stations and cash machines. [161], On 4 April, former Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her statement back in 2008 at the NATO summit in Bucharest to block Ukraine from joining NATO. It would bring new dividing lines.". A second wave including the Baltic states followed during the presidency of George W. Bush, who also supported the same idea for Georgia and Ukraine. [99], A number of joint military exercises were planned between NATO members and Ukraine in 2015. According to polls conducted between 2005 and 2013, Ukrainian public support of NATO membership remained low. 2021 Associated Newspapers Limited. Poland. Details: The Latvian Prime Minister said that European countries have to rearrange their defence industries so that they can continue to resist Russian aggression.He added that while Russia is "manufacturing weapons 24/7", Europe "continues to act as though it were peacetime". President Putin has made clear that he sees the countrys aspirations to join the group as a threat to Russias borders and its sphere of influence. I will definitely support this decision At the same April meeting, Stoltenberg said that "NATO firmly supports sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. On 14 January Andrii Yermak, Chairman of the Office of the President of Ukraine, praised the preparation of sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion, but warned that such an invasion "would be a great tragedy." As of March 2022, the NATO consists of 30 countries (28 from Europe and 2 from North America). Its purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. [38], In 2002 relations of the governments of the United States and other NATO countries with Ukraine deteriorated after the Cassette Scandal revealed that Ukraine allegedly transferred a sophisticated Ukrainian defense system to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. [57] Resistance was reportedly met from France and Germany. It is not clear at this time what this is: a show of force or real aggression. Should Putin succeed in taking control of Ukraine, a new battle line in Central Europe would be drawn. Russia also urges the United States not to establish military bases in the former Soviet Union and not to accept these countries into NATO. Some Nato members have also sent troops, aircraft and warships to the Black Sea region, near allies Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. NATO is also ready to reopen its representative office in Moscow, the Secretary General added. On 9 February 2021, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, stated that he hoped that Ukraine would be able to receive an action plan for NATO membership at the same time as Georgia. In the immediate aftermath of last year's invasion, thousands of Ukrainian refugees flocked to Moldova, located to the southwest of Ukraine. While Ukraine is not a NATO member, it is a NATO partner country, and the treaty has helped to coordinate aid and assistance to Ukraine over the last 12 months, while continuing to assure the protection of individual member countries, many of which have sent weapons, money, and military equipment to help Ukraine fight. [127], On 21 February Zelenskiy had accused Putin of "wrecking peace talks and ruled out making any territorial concessions". "[157], At a press conference on 11 March, Stoltenberg was quoted: "President Putin's war on Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe. [127] The exercise began on 10 February. She also added that the issue of Ukraine should be discussed at the summit of the North Atlantic Alliance, which is scheduled for June this year. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal brokered in July among Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, eased Russia's naval blockade and saw three key Ukrainian ports reopen. Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Alexander Grushko said that NATO did not initially profess the "open door" policy, which the Alliance declares today, if it failed to fend off threats to its security with political measures, Russia will use military measures:[251]. They cannot veto the decisions of their neighbors. So far, more . Explore this interactive map to learn more about NATO, how the Alliance works and how it responds to today's security challenges. [4][5] Amid the unrest caused by the Euromaidan protests, Yanukovych fled Ukraine in February 2014. On the contrary, Russias build-up continues." Following the start of the war, Poland's defense ministry introduced a high alert level, requiring service members in operational and territorial defense forces to stay in their units, The New York Times reported. The country's president said the government deployed temporary placement centers for incoming migrants and stressed that Moldova's borders were open for Ukrainian citizens "who need safe transit or stay.". [citation needed], A few years later, in February 1994, Ukraine was the first post-Soviet country to conclude a framework agreement with NATO in the framework of the Partnership for Peace initiative, supporting the initiative of Central and Eastern European countries to join NATO. And we are not afraid, we are not afraid of anything.". A key source of the friction that led to Russias invasion has beenUkraines desire to join Nato something President Putin strongly opposes. It has poured troops and armour into an area around the town of . Nato was founded in April 1949 in Washington DC. The parliament was blocked from 25 January 2008[50] until 4 March 2008 (on 29 February 2008 faction leaders agreed on a protocol of mutual understanding). [110] On 12 June 2020, Ukraine joined NATO's enhanced opportunity partner interoperability program. This policy appeared in 1994 and served very different purposes than building European security. On 16 December, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the Alliance would not make concessions to Russia on the issue of Ukraine's accession. And, therefore, there does not need at this point in time to be any discussion of MAP. March 3, 2023, 11:07 AM PST. Jens Stoltenberg again stated that the decision on Ukraine's readiness to join NATO can only be made by Ukraine and 30 allies in the Alliance, NATO will "seriously think" about increasing its presence in Eastern Europe in the event of "new Russian aggression." He said the issue of Ukrainian membership of NATO might "emerge at some point, but we will not see it in the immediate future. On 6 March Blinken raised the possibility of a three-way exchange between Poland, Ukraine and the US that would see Ukraine pilots fly Polish Mig-29s from a US airfield; in exchange for the Soviet-era jets Poland would receive used F-16s from the USAF. We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Nato stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and is also known as the North Atlantic Alliance. "Our forces are not and will not be engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine," Biden said in a February 2022 speech from the White House. Russia sought an end to NATO's "long-standing open-door policy for new member countries" and that it remove troops and equipment from Eastern Europe. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.. The body has designated the former Soviet country as one of its "enhanced opportunity partners," a title granted to nonmember countries that have contributed to NATO-led operations and missions. If we do not hear a constructive response to the proposals made within a reasonable time, and the aggressive line of behavior against Russia continues, we will be forced to draw the appropriate conclusions and take all necessary measures to ensure a strategic balance and eliminate unacceptable threats to our national security. NATO was born in 1949 with the North Atlantic Treaty, where 12 countries came together and agreed to the conditions for non-aggression and cooperation. "[132][133], On 17 December, Russia put forward proposals to limit US and NATO influence on former Soviet states. The authors of the bill argue that recognizing Ukraine as a "NATO+ country" will make it possible to quickly make decisions on the provision and sale of American defense goods and services to Ukraine. This will be at least a signal from us [NATO] that Ukrainians will not be left without support. It uses a system of collective security, whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. But, frankly, if Ukraine and Georgia had received the MAP in 2008, I don't think there would have been a conflict at all. The Russian government denied that any such offer had been made. It is an attempt to control the fate of free nations. Ukraine is bordered by 7 European Nations: by Belarus in the north; by Hungary, Slovakia and Poland in the west; by Moldova and Romania in the southwest; and by Russia in the east and northeast. Belarus is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization Russia's counter to NATO which is its own intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia that includes certain post-Soviet countries. [256], On 22 February 2022 Russia recognized the rebel republics of Donbas, sending its army in the region; finally, on 24 February 2022 Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. [106], On 10 March 2018 NATO added Ukraine in the list of NATO aspiring members (others including Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia). In 1952, Greece and Turkey joined NATO ranks, followed by Germany . The country was also the primary destination for more than 5,000 US troops that arrives in Eastern Europe leading up to the invasion. During the first OSCE meeting on 13 January 2022, Russia's permanent representative to the OSCE, Alexander Lukashevich, stated that the Russian Federation would be forced to take measures to "eliminate unacceptable threats to national security" if it did not hear a constructive response to its security proposals within a reasonable time:[252]. This means that at the Madrid summit this year we hope to see and hear very specific conditions and information about this, because today, especially today, I would like to repeat that now this is a matter of life and death for our country. "[111], On 14 September 2020, Zelenskyy approved Ukraine's new National Security Strategy, "which provides for the development of the distinctive partnership with NATO with the aim of membership in NATO. "We stand united to defend each other," the organization said in the statement. He noted that the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest summit "should be ruled out" and that the United States should provide unilateral legal guarantees that "this will never happen". Ukraine's significant size means it borders a total of seven countries, four of which are in the European Union. Ukraine's 3 other western neighbors are members of NATO Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania share a border with Ukraine and are all members of NATO. multinational battlegroup of 831 troops from Denmark, France and Iceland based in Estonia. The president's reply stated that "One of the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy is to deepen cooperation with NATO to achieve the criteria required for membership in this organization. [234][235], On 30 November 2021, Russian President Putin stated that an expansion of NATO's presence in Ukraine, especially the deployment of any long-range missiles capable of striking Russian cities or missile defense systems similar to those in Romania and Poland, would be a "red line" issue for Russia. "[136], On 28 January Putin said the West has ignored "Russia's fundamental concerns" on NATO's expansion and said that NATO had "strike weapons systems near Russia's borders". In February 2008 57.8% of Ukrainians supported the idea of a national referendum on joining NATO, against 38.6% in February 2007. At least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and a child have been killed as of midday on Thursday, with many more civilians wounded. also heard in Ukraines second largest city, His remarks came as Ukrainians began fleeing the country with roads gridlocked, underground train stations packed and queues at bus stops, petrol stations and cash machines. Of course, we cannot agree with this. Nato on the map. Oddly enough it's feminists, One of the UK's smallest towns has an award-winning pub and England's oldest fishing society, The golden health rules GPs live by, including why you should ditch your weekend lie-ins, Leaving the city for my kids was the worst decision after 19 months we sold up and came back, When the cost of living payments could be paid in 2023, and how much people will get, Thanks for the WhatsApps, Matt your hypocrisy and appalling judgement have been confirmed, How many episodes of The Last of Us there are and when the series ends, My dream home has more than 100 safety issues - how is this allowed to happen after Grenfell? [227] Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has stated more than once his country would not allow foreign military bases on its territory;[228] as of December 2009, NATO was not planning to deploy military bases in Ukraine. During stops in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and . [244], On 17 December, the Russian Foreign Ministry unveiled a draft agreement between Russia and the United States on "security guarantees" and a draft agreement on measures to ensure the security of Russia and NATO member states. NATO-Ukraine relations were formally launched in 1991, when the newly independent country joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC), a forum for dialogue and cooperation between NATO Allies and their former Warsaw Pact adversaries. The green map was updated daily this week as Milley traveled along NATO's flank, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Putin, allowed Russian forces to invade Ukraine via Belarus. Its purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. [147] Stoltenberg condemned Putin's declaration: "This further undermines Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, erodes efforts towards a resolution of the conflict, and violates the Minsk agreements, to which Russia is a party. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at his annual foreign policy press conference that Moscow "has run out of patience" waiting for the West's response to the Kremlin's demands for "security guarantees", and therefore Russia is waiting for a written response within a week. [108] After the vote, Poroshenko declared: "This is the day when the movement of Ukraine to the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance will be consolidated in the Constitution as a foreign political landmark. On 7 April 2021, after the start of the build-up of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told a press conference with his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzlez Laya that Lithuania intends to ask its NATO allies to provide Ukraine with a MAP: In the near future, we should again turn to our colleagues with a letter to consider the possibility of granting MAP to Ukraine. On 6 April 2004, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on the free access of NATO forces to the territory of Ukraine. [77], On 24 June 2010, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan to implement an annual national program of cooperation with NATO in 2010. [94] The government has also signaled that it hoped for major non-NATO ally status with the United States, NATO's largest military power and contributor. [68][69] Yanukovych's victory in the election marked a turnaround in Ukraine's relations with NATO. "[109], Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was inaugurated on 20 May 2019. This should be a practical step and a demonstration of commitment to the 2008 Bucharest Summit. "[233], In an interview with the BBC on 18 November 2014, Russian President Putin spokesmen Dmitry Peskov called for "a 100% guarantee that no-one would think about Ukraine joining NATO"; two days later Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg rejected this call stating it would be "violating the idea of respecting the sovereignty of Ukraine, which is a fundamental". Under the program, the US Army was to train three battalions of Ukrainian troops over a six-month period beginning in April 2015,[101] Others initiatives include Exercise Sea Breeze 2015 (total 2,500 personnel of which 1,000 US military and 500 military from NATO or "Partnership for Peace" countries), "Saber Guardian/Rapid Trident 2015" (total 2,100 members, including 500 US military and 600 NATO/PfP personnel), as well as the Ukrainian-Polish air exercise "Safe Skies 2015" (total 350 participants, including 100 Polish military) and military police "Law and Order 2015" (total 100 participants, 50 of which are Polish military).