Ukraine Defense Minister

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2014 — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today praised the actions of the Ukrainian armed forces in their current engagements in eastern Ukraine and pledged continued U.S. support for their efforts, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

Hagel made the comments during a meeting with Col. Gen. Valeriy Heletey, Ukraine’s defense minister, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Wales, Kirby said in a statement summarizing the meeting.