Pentagon Chief Reiterates Support For Ukraine.

US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Ukraine's Minister of Defense Colonel-General Stepan Poltorak

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reiterated support for war-torn
Ukraine Thursday and said America would soon start training Ukrainian forces.

US troops have already deployed in small numbers to Ukraine to train National Guard forces, but under a plan announced in July, they will also take on regular military units.

"By the end of November (we) will have trained 900 National Guard personnel, and we are commencing training of Ukrainian regular armed forces thereafter also," Carter said at a joint news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Stepan Poltorak.

US officials have previously said the training would take place in the west of the country, far from the frontline in the rebellious east and did not mark a major change in US strategy.

Carter said America's commitment to Ukraine was "clear," as Washington had already provided more than $244 million in equipment and training to the war-torn country.
The United States has sent non-lethal military aid including Humvees, counter-mortar radars, night vision goggles, body armor and medical equipment to Ukraine.
When asked if the United States would send any lethal weaponry, Poltorak said the issue was "not on the table."
The United States and its NATO allies have backed Ukraine diplomatically and have denounced what they see as Russia's intervention to support the rebels and prolong the destabilizing conflict.

But they have been cautious not to be drawn directly into military confrontation with Moscow, offering limited training support for Kiev's units rather than arms shipments.

Source: AFP