Poroshenko told Mattis that from the time of the service in the Soviet army wanted to be in the Pentagon
WASHINGTON, June 21. /TASS/. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko from the time of the service in the Soviet army wanted to be in the Pentagon. With this unexpected recognition of the Ukrainian leader was speaking on Tuesday in Washington meeting with U.S. Secretary of defense James Mattis.
“Mr. Minister, for me and my entire delegation is a great honor to be with you at the Pentagon. I told you that my dream from the time when I was in the army, to be at the Pentagon”, — said the Ukrainian leader, according to the transcript that was circulated by the press service of the defense Ministry of the USA. In accordance with these official biography Poroshenko, the Armed forces of the USSR, he served in 1984-1986.
In turn, Mattis expressed the view that the United States and Ukraine at this stage United with the “common interest” and “commitment to the principles underpinning international law.” “Come to mind such words as “sovereignty”, “territorial integrity” and “freedom from coercion” — said the Pentagon chief.
He reported that retired us General John Abizaid that in 2003-2007 he headed the Central command of the armed forces of the United States, will continue to serve as a senior adviser to the Pentagon on the provision of military assistance to Ukraine. In this post, Abizaid was appointed in September last year under the previous US administration headed by President Barack Obama.
For its part, Pentagon spokesman Dana white in a written statement released following the talks, the Mattis and Poroshenko, claimed that the parties discussed “the recent actions of the combined forces of Russia and the separatists in the East of Ukraine.” “Separatists” the United States for propaganda reasons called militias. In addition, the President and the Minister spoke about the efforts of the United States designed to “strengthen the internal defense capabilities of Ukraine” and to raise the level of professionalism of its forces, said white.
Finally, she said, Mattis confirmed “the United States support the full implementation of the Minsk agreements” and sovereignty of Ukraine and called on the authorities in Kiev “to remain committed to reforms” that will improve the efficiency of the army. This Poroshenko “emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties and further strengthening of bilateral relations in the sphere of defense,” added white.