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Defense Ministers of Ukraine and USA Continue Talks on Transfer of American Ships to Ukrainian Navy

Other News Materials 13 November 2008 18:30 (UTC +04:00)

Ukraine, Kiev, 13 November /corr. Trend Z.Novosvitski / In December, Minister of Defense of Ukraine and U.S. Secretary of Defense will continue discussions regarding the possibility of transfer of the American military ships to the Ukrainian Navy, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said to press conference after Ukraine-NATO consultations in Tallinn, UNIAN reported.   

Answering the question of Ukrainian journalists regarding the perspective directions of the Ukrainian-American military technical co-operation, Gates replied that the question on the transfer of American military ships to Ukraine was discussed at the level of the Ministers of Defense of both countries three times over the recent six weeks

At the same time Gates said that there is a determined order of this transfer.
"Ukraine displays an interest in this question, but this is sufficiently long and financially expensive process. It also requires approval of U.S. Congress," said the US Secretary of Defense.
Furthermore, he said that the cost of the transfer of ships, and also their repair appears sufficiently significant.

"Taking into consideration the present level of the resource provision of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, question arises whether this (transfer of military ships - UNIAN) is the most optimum version for the Ukrainian side," emphasized Gates.

He noted that the discussion on this theme is open, and the United States is prepared to discuss it.

The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]

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