The Ukrainian armed forces will be cut by some 40,000 employees, including high-ranking officials, in the next five years in order to reduce military expenditure, Chief of General Staff Gen. Hryhoriy Pedchenko said on Thursday.
The cuts, planned for the period 2011-2015, will affect in equal share both servicemen and civilian personnel. Currently the Ukrainian armed forces employ 200,000 people.
"We will make serious cut backs in the administrative apparatus, starting from the General Staff," Pedchenko said, adding that "unnecessary" logistics support units would also face the ax.
The general also said the Ukrainian Defense Ministry had handed a plan for military cooperation with NATO in 2011 to the president. In line with the plan, Ukraine intends to carry out more than 20 joint projects with the alliance next year.
Ukraine has taken part in the NATO Partnership for Peace program since 1994 and the former leadership sought membership in the alliance. However, these plans were dropped by current President Viktor Yanukovych, who has said the country does not seek alignment with any political bloc.
KIEV, November 18 (RIA Novosti)
