Pentagon sees situation in Ukraine as most important security issue

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 18:49 (EET) Section: Latest news

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its threat to the whole region are the focus of efforts by the United States and its partners in Europe.
U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said this at the Global Security Forum in Washington on Wednesday, Ukrinform’s correspondent reported.
“Russian aggression in Ukraine is the focus of American and partner efforts in Europe, the deputy defense secretary said. Americans are working closely with NATO allies and other partners, he said, to dissuade further Russian aggression in Ukraine, promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and deter future Russian intimidation or military action against its neighbors,” the Pentagon’s press office quoted Work as saying.
He said that U.S. forces were active in the Baltic republics and Poland. “American ships patrol alongside NATO allies in the Baltic and Black seas. And U.S. fighter jets are part of the Baltic Air Policing Mission,” he said.
Work also said that U.S. President Barack Obama had raised the issue of increasing funding for the presence of U.S. troops in Europe. “President Obama has made clear, our collective defense commitments to our NATO allies are absolutely unwavering,” he said.