Ukrainian and American defence ministers have signed a bilateral framework agreement committing to develop a close partnership in the area of defence as Ukraine seeks to join NATO in the future, news agency Ukrinform reports.
On Tuesday, August 31, in the US, Ukrainian Defence Minister Andriy Taran and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin concluded the framework agreement on the strategic foundations of defence partnership between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine informed that the agreement confirms the key principles and sets ambitious objectives for bilateral relations in the field of defence by:
– setting forth tools to advance common bilateral priorities to address current and emerging security challenges;
– repeating mutual commitment to common democratic values, with the rule of law and respect for human rights among them;
– confirming the US Department of Defence’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as condemning Russia’s occupation of Crimea and aggression in the east of Ukraine;
– pinpointing further steps in cooperation between both ministries of defence to improve Ukraine’s military capabilities and readiness to preserve the country’s territorial integrity, progress towards interoperability with NATO, and promote regional security in Eastern Europe, Ukrinform reports.
Ukraine and US outline defence partnership in strategic deal
