No Thanks: Ukraine Won't Allow US Military Base on Its Soil

Sputnik News

10:22 04.01.2016(updated 10:33 04.01.2016)

Ukraine doesn't want a US military base established on its soil, according to a top defense official.

Establishing a US military base in Ukraine would contradict the country's legislation, Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak told the local media.

While the US and Ukrainian militaries do cooperate with each other, the issue of establishing a US base in the country isn't even been considered, the minister added.

'This issue isn't even been considered. The Ukrainian legislation doesn't allow such an option. The close cooperation between our militaries allows us to share experience and learn from each other,' Poltorak said, according to RIA Novosti.

The minister also said that he hopes a joint Ukrainian-Polish-Lithuanian brigade will be created shortly, which would allow Ukraine to adopt NATO standards.

In 2015 the Ukrainian parliament adopted new legislation which allows foreign nationals to serve in the country's military on a contract basis. The law also states that foreigners and stateless persons may become officers of the Ukrainian military after obtaining the country's citizenship.

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