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Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine form military brigade to strengthen regional stability

Officials from Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine gathered in Warsaw to sign an agreement to create a brigade that bolsters regional security.

By JC Finley
Ukraine's armed forces would be enhanced according to the aims of an agreement signed on September 19, 2014 to form a Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian brigade. (File/UPI/Ivan Vakolenko)
Ukraine's armed forces would be enhanced according to the aims of an agreement signed on September 19, 2014 to form a Lithuanian, Polish and Ukrainian brigade. (File/UPI/Ivan Vakolenko) | License Photo

KIEV, Ukraine, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Lithuania, Poland Ukraine have agreed to form a military brigade to increase confidence and cooperation among the three countries, and bolster regional security.

Under the agreement, Lithuania will contribute 150-350 troops, Poland between 3,000 and 3,800, and Ukraine 545 troops to the unified brigade.

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"This agreement is part of the plan, which was discussed at the NATO Summit in Newport, where it was decided to support Ukraine," Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski said at the signing ceremony in Warsaw on Friday.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Valeriy Heletei called the new brigade "an example of effective cooperation amid new challenges and a new element of pan-European security."

Poland will also help Ukraine modernize its army. "I believe that the combination of all these steps will help the Ukrainian army to cooperate efficiently with the armies of the world, as well as modernize the armed forces of Ukraine, which is required in connection with the existing threat posed by an aggressive neighbor," Komorowski added.

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