The Pentagon confirms the strategic partnership of the USA with Ukraine
WASHINGTON, 20 Aug — RIA Novosti, Dmitry Zlatarev. The Minister of defence of the USA James Mattis said on Sunday that during his visit to Ukraine intends to highlight the commitment of Washington to a strategic partnership with Kiev.
On the eve of the Ukrainian Embassy in the USA reported that the visit of the Pentagon chief James Mattis to Kiev on 24 August. The press service of the Ukrainian President reported that Poroshenko will hold with the Mattis talks in Kiev.
“I have scheduled meetings with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Minister of defense Stepan Poltorak, and I intend to emphasize our commitment to a strategic partnership and our support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Mattis journalists accompanying him on foreign trips. The transcript of the conversation circulated the Pentagon.
The Minister said he also intends to emphasize “the efforts of U.S. training, equipment and Advisory support to the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Mattis recalled that the priority in solving the problems in Ukraine is given to diplomatic means, noting that Kiev will be visited by the special representative of the United States Ukraine Kurt Volker.
“I support the efforts of U.S. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson in cooperation with our NATO allies and Ukraine and to put pressure on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the Minsk agreements”, — he said. According to him, this means “an immediate ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons and unhindered access of OSCE observers”.