Washington, 6 September 2021 (TDI): US secretary of Defense Llyod Austin III welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Andrii Tran in Pentagon, Washington.
The USA reiterated and assured its support to Ukraine in face of the Russian occupation of Crimea. US Secretary of defense Lloyd Austin III called on Russia to ‘end the occupation of Crimea’ and highlighted the USA’s will to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Andrii Tara to strengthen ties with Ukraine.
Both countries signed a strategic defense framework agreement to strengthen the bilateral ties. The agreement includes enhanced security cooperation between the USA and Ukraine, particularly against Russia along with the reforms of the Defence industry to allow for Ukraine membership in NATO.
The two countries also look forward to signing agreements regarding research test evaluation and development agreements. According to the US Department of Defence, the USA has provided Ukraine with 25 billion dollars of aid money since the Russian occupation in 2014.
Defence Secretary Austin also thanked the Ukrainian government for its support in evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.
