The Command of the National Guard of Ukraine turned to the National Guard of California with the issue of personnel training.

Lieutenant General Yuriy Lebid held a working online meeting with Major General Matthew Beevers, Deputy Adjutant General of the California National Guard.

The parties discussed the matters of U.S. assistance, which will contribute to increasing the defense capabilities of the National Guard of Ukraine units.

The American side has been informed about significant changes that have occurred in the National Guard of Ukraine since February 24.

In particular, those regarding the increased number of personnel and reformed organizational and staffing structure of operational units. The parties identified establishing joint work as a priority.

In addition, the possibility of launching new initiatives to provide security assistance directly to the National Guard of Ukraine was discussed.

The Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine emphasized the interest and significant need of the institution to train certain categories of staff.

Ukraine is also interested in resuming cooperation under the State Partnership Program for 2023.

Matthew Beevers expressed his interest in further cooperation and readiness to proceed actively.

“Please know that we value our partnership and will continue to defend the interests of Ukraine to fight enemy aggression and liberate territories from occupation,” Major General Matthew Beevers stated.

Since 2014, the California National Guard has conducted 21 joint events with the National Guard of Ukraine. Joint actions on reforming the management system of the National Guard of Ukraine to achieve compatibility with the NATO member states’ military formations were greatly important.

In total, since 1993, the National Guard of California has organized and held 37 events of international cooperation with the National Guard of Ukraine, 21 of which were of an educational nature.