Hagel Commends Restraint of Ukrainian Forces in Crimea

In a phone conversation with Ukrainian Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh on Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel repeated his praise for the restraint demonstrated by Ukrainian forces in Crimea and commended Tenyukh’s leadership, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

“For his part, Minister Tenyukh updated Secretary Hagel on the situation in Crimea and throughout the country,” Kirby said in a statement summarizing the 35-minute call. Hagel reaffirmed U.S. support for Ukraine and stressed that officials are actively reviewing Ukraine’s request for military assistance materials, he added.

“Both leaders agreed on the need to find a diplomatic, peaceful resolution to this crisis,” Kirby said, and Hagel agreed to stay in close contact with Tenyukh going forward.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Arsenii Yatseniuk met with a delegation of the United States Congress on Sunday led by the junior United States senator Kelly A. Ayotte.

Kelly Ayotte noted that the visit of delegation of the Congress is another indication of strong support and solidarity of the United States with Ukrainian people.

While discussing the situation on the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Ukraine’s Prime Minister stressed the need for coordinated international efforts to stop Russian aggression against Ukraine.

By turn, Kelly Ayotte announced the intention of the U.S. Senate to give priority attention to the situation in Ukraine. Among further steps – approval by the Senate of the financial aid program to Ukraine, as well as consideration of further sanctions against the Russian Federation.

The meeting was also attended by Senator Joe Donnelly and Congressman Stephen Lynch.

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Press Release, March 24, 2014, Image: Wikimedia