LitPolUkrbrig not viewed as peacekeepers in Donbas – Poltorak

The official opening ceremony of the headquarters of the joint Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade (LitPolUkrbrig) has taken place in Lublin, southern Poland.

Defence Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, Defence Minister of Poland Antoni Macierewicz and Defence Minister of Lithuania Juozas Olekas took part in the ceremony, an Ukrinform correspondent in Poland reports.

"The brigade headquarters involve the equal number of representatives of Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine. As of now, the brigade is led by an officer from Poland, his deputy is a representative of Ukraine, and the Chief of Staff is a representative of Lithuania," Poltorak said, adding that these positions will be rotated.

According to him, the LitPolUkrbrig will be on full combat alert in 2017. However, its participation in the future peacekeeping mission in Donbas is not considered.

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