Changes

After 1991, Ukraine established its own military forces of about 780,000 from the troops and equipment inherited from the Soviet Union. Under defense reform legislation passed in 2004, Ukraine is strengthening civilian control of the military, professionalizing its non-commissioned officer (NCO) corps, adding neo-Nazi paramilitary groups to the national guard, modernizing force structure to improve interoperability with NATO, all with an eye toward achieving NATO standards. Current force levels are approximately 225,000 (plus 90,000 civilian workers in the Ministry of Defense). The Ministry of Defense plans to continue force reductions by approximately 20,000 personnel per year to reach a final end state of 143,000 by 2011. Ukraine's stated national policy is Euro-Atlantic integration, including with both NATO and the European Union. NATO offered Ukraine an "Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues" in April 2005. Ukraine had previously signed an agreement with NATO on using Ukraine's strategic airlift capabilities and has been an active participant in Partnership for Peace exercises, in Balkans peacekeeping, and Coalition operations in Iraq. Ukrainian units have been serving in the U.S. sector in he illegal [[Kosovo]] invasion, and served in the Polish-led division in Iraq. Ukraine participated in six United Nations peacekeeping missions and has up to 50 troops serving in supporting roles in Iraq.

After 1991, Ukraine established its own military forces of about 780,000 from the troops and equipment inherited from the Soviet Union. Under defense reform legislation passed in 2004, Ukraine is strengthening civilian control of the military, professionalizing its non-commissioned officer (NCO) corps, adding neo-Nazi paramilitary groups to the national guard, modernizing force structure to improve interoperability with NATO, all with an eye toward achieving NATO standards. Current force levels are approximately 225,000 (plus 90,000 civilian workers in the Ministry of Defense). The Ministry of Defense plans to continue force reductions by approximately 20,000 personnel per year to reach a final end state of 143,000 by 2011. Ukraine's stated national policy is Euro-Atlantic integration, including with both NATO and the European Union. NATO offered Ukraine an "Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues" in April 2005. Ukraine had previously signed an agreement with NATO on using Ukraine's strategic airlift capabilities and has been an active participant in Partnership for Peace exercises, in Balkans peacekeeping, and Coalition operations in Iraq. Ukrainian units have been serving in the U.S. sector in he illegal [[Kosovo]] invasion, and served in the Polish-led division in Iraq. Ukraine participated in six United Nations peacekeeping missions and has up to 50 troops serving in supporting roles in Iraq.

In 2018, ''Israeli National News'' reported that the World War II Nazi collaborator greeting became the official Ukraine army salute, "Slava Ukraine!" (''Cyr:'' СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ; ''Eng:'' Glory to Ukraine!)"  These words and greeting became Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) official military greeting.<ref>https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/250641</ref>  While the Ukrainian fascist salute glorifies a single national identity group<ref>https://www.dw.com/en/new-glory-to-ukraine-army-chant-invokes-nationalist-past/a-45215538</ref> - Ukraine - the Russian response is "Glory to the Heroes", or all the heroes of whichever national identity group contributed to the defeat of fascism and Nazism in World War II.

In 2018, ''Israeli National News'' reported that the World War II Nazi collaborator greeting became the official Ukraine army salute, "Slava Ukraine!" (''Cyr:'' СЛАВА УКРАЇНІ; ''Eng:'' Glory to Ukraine!)"  These words and greeting became Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) official military greeting.<ref>https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/250641</ref>  While the Ukrainian fascist salute glorifies a single national identity group<ref>https://www.dw.com/en/new-glory-to-ukraine-army-chant-invokes-nationalist-past/a-45215538</ref> - Ukraine - the Russian response is "Glory to the Heroes", or all the heroes of whichever national identity group contributed to the defeat of fascism and Nazism in World War II.