On 19 September 2013 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law On Ratification of the Agreement (in the form of exchange letters) between Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation on Ukraine's participation in the Operation Ocean Shield.

Under the agreement, Ukraine will deploy the Frigate Hetman Sagaidachny with a helicopter and a group of special forces on board to undertake a range of tasks within NATO’s counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield.

Ukraine became the first NATO partner country to join this Operation of the Alliance.