The US Secretary of Defense calls on Russia to stop destabilization in the Black Sea and along Ukrainian borders

Стецюк Олена
·
15:31, 19 October
The US Secretary of Defense calls on Russia to stop destabilization in the Black Sea and along Ukrainian borders
Image source: youtube.com/Військове телебачення України

During a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Taran in Kyiv, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called on Russia to stop destabilizing the Black Sea and along Ukraine’s borders. Taran noted that Ukraine and the United States would jointly oppose Russia’s aggressive policy in the Black Sea region.

They discussed it at their joint media briefing.

The Pentagon chief reiterated that the United States condemns the occupation of Crimea and supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Austin said that since 2014, the United States had allocated more than two and a half-billion dollars to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to protect the country, its borders, and territorial waters.

“We condemn the occupation of Crimea and call on Russia to end the war in eastern Ukraine, to stop destabilizing the Black Sea and along the border with Ukraine, and to stop cyberattacks against the United States and our allies and partners", - he said.

Austin informed that the talks with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine concerned the strengthening of cooperation in the Black Sea region.

“We discussed with the minister the possibility of strengthening our partnership with allies in the Black Sea region to counter the destabilizing actions of the Russian Federation. To support these efforts, the United States will continue to assist not only Ukraine but also Georgia, Romania, and Bulgaria. We have long understood the importance of partnership and alliance in deterring Russian aggression", - he said.

The US Secretary of Defense assured that his country would do everything possible to support Ukraine.

“Let’s be clear. Russia has started this war. And Russia is the stumbling block to a peaceful settlement. They have violated Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We will do everything possible to support Ukraine”, - Austin said.

In his turn, Andriy Taran stated that Ukraine and the United States would jointly oppose Russia’s aggressive policy.

“We discussed the organization of cooperation between our countries in improving security in the Black Sea region. In particular, measures to counter the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation, which poses a threat to shipping, economic activity and provokes new conflicts. We have a common interest and are determined to continue targeted consultations on this issue, as well as to join forces with our partners in the Black Sea region and NATO to maintain stability and security”, - he said.

The minister also added that the United States understands that Ukraine is at the forefront of the fight against Russian expansion, with Russia's desire to revive its imperial ambitions and thus pose a threat to the entire European continent.

What is known

  • US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on October 19, where he was scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Secretary Andriy Taran.