REUTERS
U.S. is ready to provide $50 million to support the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's Communications Department reported citing Michael Carpenter, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense with responsibility for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.
The funds will be allocated for the purchase of equipment and support of management reform, Carpenter said during a meeting with Deputy Interior Minister Serhiy Yarovy.
The meeting, which focused on discussing bilateral cooperation in defense sphere, was also attended by National Guard Commander Yuriy Allerov and Head of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service Volodymyr Nazarenko.
Read alsoUkraine border guards on duty joined by "Crimea blockade" activists on de facto border with occupied Crimea"I would like to thank the United States for its support of Ukraine in this difficult time for our country. We appreciate the efforts of all our partners, especially in political and diplomatic relations. U.S. support in defense sphere is essential for us. American leadership continues to be a very important factor for the implementation of reforms in the law enforcement sector," the deputy interior minister said, according to the report.
Read alsoPoroshenko approves new concept of security, defense sector development: top threat RussiaU.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary said in turn that the U.S. was proud of the efforts it had made for the development of the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard in Ukraine. He said his country is aware of the challenges that Ukraine is facing in Donbas. Addressing these challenges requires efficient involvement of many government institutions, according to Carpenter. He also stated the U.S. would continue supporting Ukraine and was ready to cooperate with Ukraine’s new government.
The Ukrainian side also thanked the American colleagues for their consistent support for reforming the defense sector in Ukraine.