KYIV. Oct 19 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is in Kyiv on a working visit, have discussed further deepening cooperation between Ukraine and the U.S. in the field of security and defense, as well as U.S. support for Ukraine on its path to joining NATO.
"I want to thank you for coming to Ukraine, as we agreed in the United States. Thank you and President [Joe] Biden for the continued support of Ukraine, our sovereignty and territorial integrity," Zelensky said.
During the meeting, the parties focused on further enhancing practical Ukrainian-U.S. cooperation in the field of security and defense in accordance with the agreements reached during Zelensky's visit to the U.S.
The Ukrainian president noted that the U.S. remains Ukraine's key partner in security and defense and thanked the U.S. for its logistical assistance.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine is trying to intensify the work of all negotiation formats in order to achieve peace in Donbas and restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The parties discussed topical issues of Ukraine's cooperation with NATO and further U.S. support in the realization of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
During the meeting, Zelensky and Austin addressed issues of the energy security of Ukraine and Europe.
The U.S. secretary of defense assured the Ukrainian president of the resolute support of the U.S. for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.