Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Ukraine Minister of Defense Colonel-General Stepan Poltorak at the NATO Defense Ministerial in Brussels, Belgium. This was their first meeting.
Secretary Carter and Gen. Poltorak discussed Russia's ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine. Secretary Carter commended Gen. Poltorak for all the steps Ukraine has taken toward implementing the Minsk agreements despite Russia's destabilizing actions. Secretary Carter emphasized that the United States, together with our allies, remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its effort to define its own course as a sovereign, democratic nation.
The leaders reviewed ongoing U.S. security assistance to Ukraine's armed forces and border guard service, including the mid-July delivery of an additional 100 HMMWVs, and the ongoing training of Ukrainian National Guard forces in Yavoriv.
Secretary Carter also reaffirmed the United States' commitment to continuing defense cooperation with Ukraine, including through annual bilateral and multilateral exercises and training.