U.S. European Command’s (EUCOM) Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) partners with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces to provide military equipment, training, familiarization events, and educational opportunities in order to support the modernization of Ukraine’s military and bilateral foreign policy objectives, while engaging at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.

Key programs administered by the ODC include Foreign Military Sales / Foreign Military Financing (FMS/ FMF) primarily for purchase or U.S. grant provision of military equipment and training; the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which provides educational opportunities in the U.S. for Ukrainian military personnel; and the Bilateral Military-to-Military program (Mil-Mil), consisting of annual military training and familiarization events.

Other major programs include the U.S. Ministry of Defense Advisor team, the Doctrine, Education, and Advisory team, and EUCOM’s Humanitarian Assistance Program, which provides construction and renovation assistance to schools, orphanages, and other Ukrainian essential service providers.  The overarching security cooperation / assistance objective of all programs is to promote stability, democratization, military professionalism, and closer relationships with NATO, while fostering stronger military partnership ties and improved bilateral defense compatibility.

Additionally, the ODC, in conjunction with the State of California, administers the State Partnership Program (SPP), which in 2018 celebrated 25 years of partnership with Ukraine.  The SPP provides the platform for a long-term California – Ukraine partnership, and directly supports both the goals of the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Commander, U.S. European Command. Additionally, the Adjutant General of the California National Guard facilitates partnerships with Ukraine throughout the state and local governments in California as well as the private sector.