Embattled nation gets more help from U. S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t finished using his military in eastern Ukraine, the top U. S. military commander for NATO said Thursday as the U. S. and its allies outlined additional support for Kyiv, including aid in defusing roadside bombs.

U. S. Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO’s supreme allied commander, said there continues to be a constant flow of ammunition and other military supplies from Russia across the border to Ukraine, and a well- trained and ready Russian force.

“Mr. Putin is very clear that he does not want Kyiv leaning to the West and that he will use the appropriate force necessary to keep Kyiv from leaning to the West, and so for that reason, as you know, Kyiv remains leaning to the West,” Breedlove told reporters in Brussels. “And so, I don’t think Mr. Putin is done in eastern Ukraine.”

NATO Secretary- General Jens Stoltenberg earlier warned of a return to heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine and said the alliance is creating a new trust fund that will help pay for the effort to remove mines and detect and destroy improvised explosive devices. Those steps, he said, will be vital for saving lives in a conflict that has killed more than 6,000 people.

U. S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter, meanwhile, gave allies more details on the military support it will provide to a NATO rapid response task force. The U. S. will commit to sending troops, aircraft and other equipment, including special operations forces, intelligence and surveillance, transportation, refuelling, aircraft and support, precision weapons, combat helicopters and a command post.