Putin now is seen as having
planned his Crimean incursion quite explicitly, raising of course the issues related to street killings of dissenters in Russia while the conflict continues. The US has decided to continue the path to support the existing Ukrainian government including the sending of 3000 troops to participate in
Baltic state military exercises.
Latvia and its Baltic neighbours Estonia and Lithuania have voiced concern about what they see as Russia's increasingly aggressive attitude.
They fear Nato and the EU have moved too slowly to counter Russia's actions.
Nato has increased its military presence in the Baltic states, with several military drills and training exercises in Lithuania in recent weeks.
Correspondents say it is a deliberate show of force and an act of unity against an alleged threat from Russia to the former Soviet states.
On Thursday Russia announced large-scale military exercises in the annexed Crimea, as well as breakaway regions of Georgia.
WASHINGTON — The US Army is preparing to send approximately 300 troops at a time to train Ukrainian forces in western Ukraine, according to documents posted on a government contracting site.
It's been no secret that US and a handful of UK forces have been planning on traveling to Yavoriv this spring to begin training Ukrainian forces for their fight against pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. But officials have at times been vague as to dates and times and numbers.
The solicitation also states that "the US and Ukrainian Army shall conduct a joint training mission at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center (IPSC) near L'viv, Ukraine from approximately 5 MAR - 31 OCT 15."