WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th May, 2019) The US House Appropriations Committee called for ensuring security aid is not being used to arm or train the Ukrainian nationalist Azov Battalion, a draft defense spending bill revealed.
"None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to provide arms, training, or other assistance to the Azov Battalion," the document said on Tuesday.
International watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly expressed concerns over crimes against civilians committed by the Azov Battalion as well as other Ukrainian nationalist paramilitary groups.
The House panel approved $250 million overall in US security aid for Ukraine in fiscal year 2020 including $50 million in lethal assistance, according to the document.
