USA assigns about $10 mln for Ukrainian Defense Ministry in 2009

He said $7 million would be assigned for buying equipment and military hardware, and $1.77 million for training Ukrainian servicemen in the United States.

In all, 900 Ukrainian servicemen, including generals, have been trained in the U.S., Vershbow said.

The United States and Ukraine are members of an important strategic partnership, he said. In the opinion of the official, the Ukrainian European integration will make Europe more stable.

The United States supports more profound cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, Vershbow said, adding that NATO door was open to Ukraine but it was up to people of Ukraine to make a decision.

Vershbow welcomed the formation of the operative and tactical command and the special operations command in Ukraine and regretted that the Verkhovna Rada did not allow to hold international exercises Sea Breeze and Rapid Trident; Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com for full version.