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.
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