KIEV, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and visiting U.S. Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, met here yesterday, to discuss ways to deepen practical cooperation between Kiev and Washington, in the field of security and defence, the Ukrainian presidential press service said.
The two sides exchanged views on the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, as well as, on the topical issues of Ukraine’s cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Zelensky stressed the importance of Washington’s role in enhancing capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces, saying, the U.S. remains Ukraine’s key partner in security and defence.
The Ukrainian leader talked about progress made in reforming the country’s security and defence, including the domestic defence industry, to bring it closer to NATO standards.
For his part, the Pentagon chief pledged that the U.S. support for Ukraine will continue.
Austin arrived in Kiev earlier in the day for a working visit. He also held talks with Ukrainian Defence Minister, Andriy Taran, on the countries’ partnership in the defence sector.
