Zahorodniuk, Pompeo discuss Joint Forces Operation in Donbas

Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk has met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the security situation in Donbas, the Joint Forces Operation in eastern Ukraine and the prospects for further cooperation between the two countries, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.
"Today, on January 31, as part of an official visit by the U.S. delegation to Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. During the meeting, the Ukrainian side emphasized that the United States of America is a strategic partner and a reliable friend of Ukraine, which has supported it from the very beginning of Russian armed aggression," the report reads.

Zahorodniuk expressed gratitude for overall assistance the United States is providing in reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in particular, financial support to Ukraine, which will amount to $300 million this year.

According to the report, the sides also discussed the current security situation in the region and the progress of the Joint Forces Operation in eastern Ukraine.

"The destabilizing actions of the Russian Federation in the Azov and Black Sea region and the further militarization of the Crimean peninsula by the aggressor country were also assessed during the dialogue," the ministry said.

Zahorodniuk briefed Pompeo on the current state and future prospects of Ukraine's defense reform, transformation of the defense agency and key areas in this sphere.