Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has met with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations, U.S. General Philip Breedlove.
“Your visit to Ukraine is a landmark event which clearly demonstrates that the U.S. and NATO are together with us at this difficult time,” said the head of state, according to his press office.
Poroshenko thanked the U.S. general for the U.S. aid and support for Ukraine.
The president said he is convinced that only “a strong, professional, reliable and patriotic army” can stop the tragedy in Donbas. Then it will be much easier for Ukraine’s political leaders and diplomats to find a possibility to settle the crisis.
Over the past seven months “Ukraine has managed to build practically a new army which has a strong spirit and high patriotism and, what’s very important, the army enjoys very strong support from the Ukrainian people,” Poroshenko said.
The president stressed that the Ukrainian army has conducted several successful military operations and now needs to step up cooperation with the U.S. and NATO military precisely in exchanging experience and expertise and improving training.
Poroshenko thanked the U.S. for the military aid and emphasized the importance of developing bilateral defense cooperation.
The Ukrainian president praised the efforts of the joint U.S.-Ukrainian defense committee that implements military reform in Ukraine on a bilateral basis, which should significantly boost the military might of Ukraine’s army as early as this year.
Breedlove expressed support for the Ukrainian people and condolences to the families of the Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas.
