NATO Military Committee Chairman's visit to Ukraine highlights NATO-Ukraine intensified partnership
NATO stands by its long-standing partnership with Ukraine, General Bartels, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said during his visit to Kyiv on Thursday and Friday (20-21 November 2014). “We will continue to support the reform of your security sector and the modernisation of your armed forces to defend a sovereign, united and democratic Ukraine,” General Bartels said.
During his visit, the Chairman met with Colonel General Muzhenko, Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, who has been invited to discuss further cooperation at the next NATO Military Committee with Allied Chiefs of Defence to be held in January 2015. General Bartels expressed his appreciation to Ukraine for its enduring contribution to all major NATO-led operations, exercises and the NATO Response Force. He also welcomed Ukraine’s membership to the Partnership Interoperability Platform, which will further facilitate the development of Ukraine’s armed forces and their ability to operate with other NATO forces.
General Bartels also met with the Minister of Defence, Colonel General Poltorak, and the National Security and Defence Council as well as other high ranking military officials. Discussions focused on the Wales Summit decisions regarding NATO’s continued support for Ukraine, including the establishment of the NATO Trusts Funds on cyber defence, command, control and communications, logistics and military retraining, and NATO’s assistance with the rehabilitation of Ukrainian injured military personnel.
The Chairman also took the opportunity while in Kyiv to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. “Every death is a tragedy and I offer my sincere condolences to the Armed Services of Ukraine for their suffering and losses," General Bartels said.