U.S. Defense Secretary to meet with Zelensky and Taran in Kyiv

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with Ukraine's top political and military leadership as part of his visit to Kyiv next week, according to the website of the U.S. Department of Defense.

“In Ukraine, the Secretary will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense Andrii Taran to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit will also serve as an opportunity to discuss Ukraine’s progress with the implementation of defense and defense industry reforms needed to advance its Euro-Atlantic aspirations as well as regional cooperation among Black Sea allies and partners,” the report says.

It is noted that the U.S. Department of Defense “steadfastly supports its European Allies and partners in the face of Russia’s destabilizing actions in the critical Black Sea region.”

As Ukrinform reported, U.S. Department of Defense Spokesman John Kirby announced that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin would visit Georgia, Ukraine, and Romania next week, as well as participate in the NATO Defense Ministerial in Belgium.

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