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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Phone Call with Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Valeriy Heletey

Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary Hagel spoke today by phone with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Valeriy Heletey.

Secretary Hagel relayed Minister Shoygu’s recent remarks on the Russian aid convoy, and Minister Shoygu’s “guarantee” that the aid convoy was not a military intervention. Secretary Hagel conveyed that he told Minister Shoygu Russia’s vehicles and forces along the border continued to escalate tensions and stressed that any discussions about potential ceasefire agreements must include Ukraine.

Minister Heletey reported increased violence in Ukraine’s east as a result of Russia’s ongoing supply of weapons and personnel into Ukraine, and spoke about recent attacks in which innocent civilians were killed and wounded.

Finally, Secretary Hagel and Minister Heletey discussed the status of ongoing deliveries of United States military assistance to Ukraine. Minister Heletey thanked the secretary for the continued assistance of the United States.