He called countering Russia a "common priority" of the United States and Ukraine
Washington. November 19. INTERFAX - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, at a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Alexei Reznikov in Washington, announced his readiness to consider the implementation of the framework agreement on the strategic foundations of defense partnership between the two countries and deepening cooperation in the defense sector.
"I look forward to discussing the implementation of this agreement in order to continue to promote our common priority - countering Russian aggression - and deepen our cooperation in areas such as security on the Black Sea, cybersecurity and information exchange," he said during a meeting in Washington.
The framework agreement was signed during a recent visit to the United States by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Austin noted that Washington is closely monitoring the "recent movements of the Russian military" near the border with Ukraine and "expressed concern about Russia's destabilizing activities." According to him, the United States "will continue to consult with you, as well as with our partners and allies in the region about what we all see and how best to contribute to regional security."
He once again stated that the American "support for self-defense, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is unshakable."
The Pentagon chief also said: "We remain committed to supporting Ukraine's efforts to implement deep and comprehensive reforms in its defense sector. We know that this is hard work, but doing it is the key to Ukraine achieving its Euro-Atlantic aspirations."
Reznikov, for his part, thanked the United States for its assistance in countering "Russian aggression."
He noted that Russia can resort to escalation at any time, and "this possible escalation will certainly have disastrous consequences for the whole of Europe."
According to him, Moscow "understands only actions, especially active ones, this is a kind of vaccination against a dangerous virus of aggression that mutates and returns the world to a state of cold war."
Reznikov said that "hundreds of attacks (by Russia - IF) on Poland and Lithuania using migrants is another example that Europe is in danger."
"We are grateful to the American side for paying attention to the facts of the preparation of the Russians for the next phase of the attack, and the signal from the United States will send a signal to the entire civilized world that we must unite against Russian aggression," he stressed.
