Ukrainian Defense Minister Issues Statement to Russia

210702-N-DO281-1665 OLESHKY SANDS, Ukraine (July 2, 2021) A U.S. Marines, assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (1/6), 2d Marine Division, cuts through barbed wire during the land capability media day of Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 in Oleshky Sands, Ukraine, July 2, 2021. Exercise Sea Breeze is a multinational maritime exercise cohosted by U.S. Sixth Fleet and the Ukrainian Navy in the Black Sea since 1997. Sea Breeze 2021 is designed to enhance interoperability of participating nations and strengthen maritime security and peace within the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Trey Fowler)

KYIV, Ukraine ― Ukraine’s defense minister fired back Tuesday at Russian predictions that the U.S., in light of its rushed exit from Afghanistan, will eventually abandon Ukraine.

“I’m not going to compare relations between the U.S. and Ukraine with relations between the U.S. and Afghanistan,” Andriy Taran said. “Ukraine is a country that fights for its own independence and territorial integrity. We have no doubt of the support from our strategic partner.”