In a phone conversation with Ukrainian Defense Minister Ihor Teniukh on March 21, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel repeated his praise for the restraint demonstrated by Ukrainian forces in Crimea and commended Teniukh' s leadership.
For his part, Teniukh updated Secretary Hagel on the situation in Crimea and throughout the country, Pentagon reported.
Hagel reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine and stressed that officials are actively reviewing Ukraine’s request for military assistance materials, the Pentagon spokesman added.
“Both leaders agreed on the need to find a diplomatic, peaceful resolution to this crisis,” he said, and Hagel agreed to stay in close contact with Teniukh going forward.
