Under the plan, US forces along with other NATO members and states involved in the Partnership for Peace programme - will be allowed to operate with appropriate weapons and equipment. The decree published late Saturday also permits Ukrainian soldiers to train abroad, Ukraine Today reports.

A number of military exercises will be hosted by Ukraine next year – including Maple Arch 2016 – which focuses on stabilization and peacekeeping missions and Sea Breeze 2016, centered on international maritime operations.

See unian.info’s video section for more of the latest news from Ukraine in video from Ukraine Today, Ukraine’s 24-hour English-language news channel.