(VOVworld) - Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania have agreed to launch a joint military force which is expected to hold its first drill next year.

Polish servicemen take part in military exercises outside the town of Yavoriv near Lviv, September 19, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

The defense ministers of the three states signed the agreement in Warsaw on Friday, in the presence of Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski. The newly formed brigade will have its headquarters in the eastern Polish city of Lublin, situated not far from the country’s border with Ukraine. According to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Petro Mekhed, 545 Ukrainian troops will join the 4,400 soldier brigade.