Carter Meets With Ukraine’s Defense Minister

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter met yesterday with Ukraine Defense Minister Colonel-General Stepan Poltorak at the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, according to a Defense Department news release issued today.

This was two leaders’ first meeting, the release said.

The defense leaders discussed Russia's ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine, the release said, and Carter commended the general for Ukraine’s efforts toward implementing the Minsk agreements despite Russia's destabilizing actions.

Carter emphasized that the United States, together with its allies, “remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its effort to define its own course as a sovereign, democratic nation,” the release said.

The leaders reviewed ongoing U.S. security assistance to Ukraine's armed forces and border guard service, including the mid-July delivery of an additional 100 Humvees and the ongoing training of Ukrainian national guard forces in Yavoriv, the release said.

The defense secretary also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to continuing defense cooperation with Ukraine, including through annual bilateral and multilateral exercises and training, the release said.