Ukrainian forces are expected to join the United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali after President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on Wednesday authorizing their involvement in the mission.
Up to 20 Ukrainian officers will be dispatched to assist in maintaining the international peace in the framework of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, said the decree published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
Since 1992, more 44,000 Ukrainian servicemen have participated in 26 international peacekeeping missions.
Currently, a total of 339 Ukrainian peacekeepers are serving overseas on eight peacekeeping operations.
MINUSMA was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks.
