Ukraine joins big Nato exercise

Ukraine will on Monday begin an unprecedented 10-day naval exercise with Nato and several former communist states.

More than 50 warships from 10 Nato countries, including the United States, will join the manoeuvres near the Black Sea port of Odessa, in southern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian navy spokesman, Mykola Savchenko, said the exercise was the biggest of its kind since Ukrainian independence, and was important for mutual understanding.

Nato troops will be accompaied by units from Ukraine and several other former communist states.

Russia is not taking part, even as an observer.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service