F.P Report
WASHINGTON: Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefed media saying that Secretary of Defense Austin spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Andriy Taran, to discuss the regional security situation, he said, Friday.
Kirby further commented that the secretary reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
He condemned recent escalations of Russian aggressive and provocative actions in eastern Ukraine, and he offered condolences to the minister on the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers on the 26th of March, he said.
He also reiterated the U.S. commitment to building the capacity of Ukraine’s forces to defend more effectively against Russian aggression, Kirby added.
Furthermore he mentioned that since 2014, the United States has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including a recently-announced $125-million package that featured defensive weapons and other key capabilities to enhance the lethality, command-and-control and situational awareness of Ukraine’s armed forces. Minister Taran expressed his gratitude for the open dialogue and continued support, he said.
He also spoke by phone this morning with his Turkish counterpart, the Turkish Minister of National Defense, Hulusui Akar and to underscore commitment to the U.S.-Turkish bilateral defense relationship and collective security through NATO, the DOD press statement cited.
The press secretary mentioned that the secretary thanked the minister for the significant role that Turkey is playing as part of the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and in support of the ongoing peace process.
The two leaders also discussed the positive diplomatic developments and efforts to reduce all tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, where the secretary welcomed ongoing exploratory talks between NATO allies Turkey and Greece, and the commitment of both governments to this process, he said.
Regarding the defense challenges he said that the secretary also highlighted cooperation among allies and partners in the Black Sea, including recent exercises that included the USS Monterey and USS Thomas Hudner, as well as Turkish naval assets. Secretary Austin and Minister Akar discussed the instability along NATO’s eastern and southern flanks, including challenges posed by Russia, the statement mentioned.
The secretary noted the importance of working to strengthen U.S.-Turkey military-to-military cooperation and urged Turkey not to retain the Russian S-400 Missile Defense System.
Secretary Austin also spoke by phone this morning with his Greek counterpart, Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos to reaffirm the strong and deepening security partnership between the United States and Greece, Kirby stated.
He offered congratulations to the minister on the bicentennial of Greece’s independence, which they celebrated on the 25th of March, and he thanked the minister for hosting U.S. forces, thanked the minister for hosting U.S. forces at Souda Bay in Crete, the statement mentioned
He expressed a specific appreciation for the Greek prime minister’s visit to the USS Eisenhower when she was in port there on the 23rd of March, it added.
The two leaders also discussed the positive diplomatic developments in efforts to reduce all tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, where the secretary welcomed ongoing exploratory talks between NATO allies, Greece and Turkey, and the commitment of both governments to this process. The leaders committed to being vigilant regarding threats to stability in NATO’s southern flank, including from Russian malign influence, the press release added.
Regarding Saudi Arabia, Pentagon press Secretary commented that we continue to support the defense of Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Saudi military, including their abilities to counter inbound threats.
He further added that we call on the Houthis to cease these attacks and to work to achieve a political solution.
We do take seriously our commitments to the defense of Saudi Arabia, and they are under attack, there’s no question about that, adding that the Secretary obviously takes that seriously and he expressed that when he talked to the Crown Prince several weeks ago, Kirby commented.
While taking account of Eastern Ukraine crisis, he said we’re condemning the recent escalations in Eastern Ukraine, adding that that’s round up in the deaths of these four Ukrainian soldiers recently.
He also underlined that U.S is monitoring the situation with respect to Ukrainian military reports of Russian military placements and forces along the border.
Importantly commenting on Indo-Pacific he said, Secretary’s first overseas trip was to the Indo-Pacific region and to meet with allies and partners – Japan, South Korea, India about their perspectives on the tensions in that part of the world, tensions which are, in many ways, being propelled by China’s aggressive activities and their excessive maritime claims and military modernization.
Responding on question over Secretary Austin trip to Afghanistan and briefing President over the updates, Kirby refrained from commenting saying that discussing the Secretary’s private conversations and advice to the Commander in Chief.
