The United States is planning to provide an $18-million aid to Ukraine to strengthen its security, said Derek Chollet, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense.
The 2 sides discussed aid, including the $18 million for security, the Pentagon official said at a briefing in Kyiv on June 2.
This aid will be aimed, among other things, at creating efficient Ukrainian armed forces, he said.
Chollet also said that the U.S. aid was based on Ukraine’s request and includes a number of items apart from weapons. The Ukrainians sent a very long list of what they need, and the U.S., and our close partners – France, Britain and Poland – will be working to satisfy this list, he said.
He said his visit to Ukraine included a number of meetings with senior government, security and military officials. The meetings focused on crimes committed by separatists in the east seeking to undermine a united Ukraine, the U.S. assistant to the defense secretary said.
He recalled that the U.S. has condemned the annexation of Crimea by Russia and Russia’s meddling in Ukrainian affairs, and is looking for ways to ensure peaceful resolution of this conflict.
