Defence Ministers agreed on Wednesday (15 June 2016)
to boost NATO’s support for Ukraine with a Comprehensive Package of Assistance.
The Package aims to help Ukraine strengthen its defences by building stronger
security structures. In a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, Allied
ministers also exchanged views with Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak
on the current security situation in eastern Ukraine, and the progress of
government reforms.
Secretary General Jens
Stoltenberg explained that the #Comprehensive_Package brings together all the
strands of NATO’s support, and will “help Ukraine establish more effective and
efficient defence and security structures, and to strengthen civilian control
over them.”
He highlighted that the
Alliance is already implementing projects under the Trust Funds established for
Ukraine, including on command and control, cyber defence, and rehabilitating
wounded soldiers. “We are also developing new projects, including in the areas
of countering hybrid warfare and explosive devices,” he said.
“The situation in eastern
Ukraine, caused by Russia’s actions, remains of concern,” the Secretary General
said, pointing to daily ceasefire violations and impediments to the work of
OSCE observers. Ministers agreed that the #Minsk _Agreements remain the path to a
sustainable solution to the conflict, and urged all parties to fully implement
them. They also expressed NATO’s enduring support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity, reiterating that Allies do not and will not recognise
the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea. “Russia needs to stop supporting the
militants, and withdraw its forces and military equipment from Ukrainian
territory,” said Mr. Stoltenberg.
During the meeting, Minister
Poltorak presented Ukraine’s defence reform roadmap, the Strategic Defence
Bulletin. “Modernising Ukraine’s forces while they are engaged in conflict is
no easy task, but the government is making good progress,” said the Secretary
General.
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