A first conference to plan large-scale joint Rapid Trident 2018 drills of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and foreign armies has taken place in Lviv region, the press service of Ukraine's Defense Ministry has reported.

"Members of the command of the land forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the U.S. military training mission, as well as personnel from more than 10 NATO member states and NATO partners, on February 2 summed up their performance for the week. According to the concept of the series of the Rapid Trident exercises, Ukrainian servicemen will continue training in 2018 together with foreign partners in activities as part of the coalition forces during peacekeeping and stabilization operations," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.

Under the Rapid Trident 2018 scenario, the Ukrainian military will have to counter hybrid threats, as well as share antiterrorist operation experience with their peers from other countries.

Over 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen are preliminarily planned to participate in the drills together with soldiers and officers from 10 NATO member states and the countries participating in the Partnership for Peace program. Also, servicemen of the Lithuanian–Polish–Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) will be involved.

The drills are scheduled for the second part of 2018, the ministry said.

Before the training is officially launched, the Rapid Trident 2018 organizers will gather two more times to approve the final schedule of the international military exercises and finalize related documents.