American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
yesterday warned his Ukrainian counterpart against using the military to quell
demonstrations over President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision to shelve a trade
agreement with the European Union.
Hagel spoke by phone with Ukrainian Defense Minister Pavlo
Lebedyev, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said in a statement
summarizing the call.
“Secretary Hagel warned Minister Lebedyev not to use the
armed forces of Ukraine against the civilian population in any fashion,” Woog
said. “He underlined the potential damage of any involvement by the military in
breaking up the demonstrations and called for restraint.”
Lebedyev stated that it is Yanukovych's position not to use
the armed forces against the protestors, Woog added, and said he would pass
Hagel's message directly to Yanukovych.
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