Mykhaylo Koval met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gregory M. Kausner

Today, on June 24, in the framework of a visit to Ukraine by a delegation of the Department of State the acting Defence Minister of Ukraine, Colonel General Mykhaylo Koval held a meeting with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security and Security Assistance Gregory M. Kausner.

The parties discussed urgent issues of cooperation in the context of present military-political situation in Ukraine, lines of further bilateral cooperation in defence area.

The head of the national defence department informed the American delegation about the military and political situation in Eastern Ukraine, in particular participation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the anti-terrorist operation.

”Presently the subdivisions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in synergy with the State Border Service have actually closed the state border in the Eastern Ukraine. Along the border line there have been deployed grouping of our troops in order to repel a possible military aggression from land, air or water. Along with that the activities in improvement of management system and logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are underway,” the acting Defence Minister of Ukraine stressed.

Colonel General Mykhaylo Koval focused on the priority needs of the Armed Forces participating in anti-terrorist operations. It concerns individual protection means, modern communication systems, reconnaissance and surveillance, mobile protective structures, etc. During the talks the Colonel General expressed interest in target advisory assistance by the U.S.A. in the areas of crisis management, training professional sergeant corpse, special personnel etc.

 “Nowadays the leaders of the state and the Armed Forces do everything within power to solve the problems independently. For instance, recently a new body armour produced in Ukraine has been recently adopted by the military. It is reliable, cheap and has been thoroughly tested. The Defence Ministry of Ukraine has ordered 28 thousand such body armours, 14 has been transferred to the troops,” informed the acting Defence Minister of Ukraine, Colonel General Mykhaylo Koval.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gregory M. Kausner assured, on behalf of the American government, the Ukrainian side in overall support of protection of security and national sovereignty.

“Throughout recent months the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have demonstrated stamina, fortitude and distinct attempts to prevent escalation of violence in the problem regions of the country. It deserves not only respect, but overall support which the United State are ready to provide to Ukraine, as well as other countries of the world. I believe the state sovereignty of Ukraine will be protected,” Mr. Gregory M. Kausner stressed.