US, Ukraine to deepen defence cooperation

The Pentagon said in a statement on September 8 that John Abizaid will advise Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak as Ukraine tries to reform oversight of its armed forces and root out corruption. The announcement came as Washington and Kyiv agreed to cooperate further on defence technology and improve Ukraine's forces, Radio Liberty reports. The announcement, however, includes no mention of offensive weaponry like Javelin antitank missiles, which Kyiv says would greatly fortify its forces against Russia-backed separatists. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter reiterated that in the statement, saying Abizaid's appointment should not be interpreted as a signal of US plans to help Ukraine in offensive operations. Abizaid oversaw US Central Command from 2003 to 2007, when US forces were in the depths of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.