 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
 By Paul HANDLEY Kiev (AFP) Oct 19, 2021
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday called on Moscow to stop prolonging the war in eastern Ukraine, his second stop in the Black Sea countries he said were threatened by Russian expansionism. "We again call on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea and to stop perpetuating the war in eastern Ukraine, to end its destabilising activities in the Black Sea and along Ukraine's borders," he said in a meeting with Ukrainian Defence Minister Andriy Taran. "Russia started this war and Russia is the obstacle to a peaceful resolution," he added. Austin was in Kiev for discussions on advancing the two countries' defence cooperation, building on the Strategic Defence Framework, a blueprint for bilateral defence and policy cooperation announced in Washington at the beginning of September. Austin said that his meetings with Taran and President Volodymyr Zelensky, for the second time in less than two months, were important for building cooperation among Black Sea countries, including Georgia and Romania, to confront increased Russian activity in the Black Sea. Responding to European concerns that the United States is now focusing most of its security attention on China and the Indo-Pacific region, Austin stressed: "This region remains critical to us." "I like the minister," he added to journalists. "That's why I came back to see him so soon." - Ukraine has 'no doubts' - Taran said Ukraine retains confidence in the United States despite the recent US abandonment of Afghanistan after a 20-year war against the Taliban. "We have no doubt in support from our strategic partner," he said. "The United States understands the importance of Ukraine's struggle for its independence, for deterring Russian aggression." More than 13,000 people have been killed since the separatist insurgency broke out in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions in April, 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Zelensky during his meeting with Austin later on Tuesday hailed Washington's support, saying that "the United States remains Ukraine's main security and defence partner". "Thank you and President Biden for your continued support of Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zelensky's office quoted him as saying in a statement. But Ukraine's desire to graduate from a strategic partner in NATO to full member was not answered by the Pentagon defence chief. Washington continues to fall in line with Germany and France, who see admitting Ukraine to the Atlantic alliance as a high risk given Moscow's adamant opposition to it. Austin visited Georgia on Monday, and is due in Romania Wednesday, with the same message of solidarity and offers of continuing defence support in the face of challenges from Russia. As well as providing weapons such as anti-tank missiles to Ukraine's fight against Russia-allied separatists in the east, the Pentagon has provided a number of patrol boats to Ukraine's Black Sea navy. Taran said the two sides had discussed "countering Russia's aggressive policy, which poses a threat to shipping, economic activity and provokes new conflicts" in the Black Sea.
US, Greece expand defense ties amid Mediterranean tensions Washington (AFP) Oct 14, 2021 Greece on Thursday expanded a defense agreement with the United States days after ratifying a separate deal with France in a tacit signal to Turkey following high tensions. The agreement signed in Washington marks a deepening of US relations with a longstanding European ally, despite a growing focus by President Joe Biden's administration on Asia. Greece and the United States signed a five-year extension of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement, which has been renewed each year since 1990, wi ... read more
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Google
