American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 20, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
received an update on the situation in Crimea yesterday during a phone
conversation with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Ihor Tenyukh, Pentagon Press
Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a Defense Department news release.
During the conversation, Hagel “reiterated that he
appreciated the restraint exhibited by Ukrainian Armed Forces and expressed his
condolences for the death of the Ukrainian soldier yesterday,” Kirby said in
the release. News reports say a Ukrainian soldier was killed March 18 during an
exchange of gunfire at a Ukrainian military base in Crimea.
Kirby said Hagel also “stressed again to Minister Tenyukh
that the United States stands by the people of Ukraine, condemns the use of
force by the Russian Federation and continues to call for the removal of
Russian forces.
"Secretary Hagel assured Minister Tenyukh that he
continues to monitor the situation closely,” Kirby continued, “and that it is
important for the two leaders to remain in touch with one another."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment