Ukrainian special forces and a U.S. Air Force JTAC exit a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a raid at Exercise Combined Resolve 14 at Hohenfels, Germany, September 24, 2020. Combined Resolve 14 partnered about 160 Multinational SOF from Ukraine, North Macedonian, the U.S., and members of the Lithuanian National Defense Volunteer Defense National Force, or KASP, with conventional forces to improve integration and enhance their overall combat abilities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt Patrik Orcutt)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Andrii Taran and reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the Pentagon said in a statement.  Austin condemned recent escalations of Russian aggressive and “provocative actions” in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, and offered condolences to Minister Taran on the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers on March 26.  Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine since 2014. The Pentagon said Russian escalations include violations of a July 2020 ceasefire that led to the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers in the eastern part of the country.

“Secretary Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to building the capacity of Ukraine’s forces to defend more effectively against Russian aggression. 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.”

-Pentagon statement Apr. 01, 2021 

Minister Taran expressed gratitude for the open dialogue and continued support.