Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine on January 31.
While there, she met with senior Ukrainian government officials to reiterate the United States' enduring support for Ukraine's democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in the face of Putin's brutal war.
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The Acting Deputy Secretary also visited a USAID-funded wounded veteran rehabilitation center where she saw and heard first-hand accounts of both the tragic toll of nearly two-years of fighting, and the heroic bravery of the Ukrainian people who are determined to win the fight for their future.
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine met with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
31 January 2024 - 22:45
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, who is on a visit to Kyiv.
On behalf of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak thanked the U.S. for its powerful defense and economic assistance and noted that continued comprehensive support is critical to bringing our country's victory closer.
"Last year has become record-breaking in terms of the Ukrainian-American relations development. The President of Ukraine and his team are committed to maintaining the high dynamics of bilateral dialogue that strengthens Ukraine's capabilities to effectively combat the aggressor," the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.
- He briefed on the situation on the front line and the priority needs of the Defense Forces for weapons and military equipment, and emphasized the critical importance of continued defense assistance from the United States.
- The parties emphasized the importance of the exchange of prisoners of war that took place today.
- At the same time, Andriy Yermak emphasized that Ukraine is determined to return all warriors who are in enemy captivity.
Expectations from the NATO Summit to be held in July 2024 in Washington, D.C., were discussed separately.
"The President of Ukraine and our citizens expect that the NATO Summit will properly assess Ukraine's efforts on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration and make historic decisions regarding our country," the Head of the Presidential Office noted.
- Andriy Yermak informed Victoria Nuland about the creation of the Council for Support of Entrepreneurship under Martial Law and the All-Ukrainian Economic Platform "Made in Ukraine", which are intended to strengthen the dialogue between the Ukrainian government and business.
- The parties also noted progress in the implementation of reforms in our country and emphasized further priority steps for their implementation.
31 January 2024 - 22:45
Andriy Yermak informed Victoria Nuland about the creation of the Council for Support of Entrepreneurship under Martial Law and the All-Ukrainian Economic Platform "Made in Ukraine", which are intended to strengthen the dialogue between the Ukrainian government and business.
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31 Jan, 2024 03:38HomeWorld News
Nuland issues ultimatum to Türkiye
US officials have accused Ankara of threatening NATO’s security with its purchase of a Russian air defense platform
The US will only allow Türkiye to return to the F-35 fighter jet program if it agrees to ditch Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has said.
- The American official also suggested that Washington may even lift sanctions on its NATO ally if Ankara is more amenable.
Speaking with CNNTurk television on Monday, Nuland said Ankara could be brought in from the cold on the F-35 project if it resolved the spat, after Türkiye was booted from the program in 2019 over its acquisition of the S-400 from Russia.
- “If we could get through this S-400 issue, which we would like to do, the US would be delighted to welcome Türkiye back into the F-35 family,” she stated.
- “If we can get through this issue, then the CAATSA issue will go away, and we can get back into an F-35 conversation,” Nuland added, referring to US sanctions which target Türkiye’s arms industry.
In announcing the CAATSA penalties in 2020, Washington said it had informed Ankara that the S-400 purchase would “endanger the security of US military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector,” going on to remind its ally of “the availability of alternative, NATO-interoperable systems to meet its defense requirements.”
It urged Türkiye to “resolve the S-400 problem immediately.”
While it remains unclear whether Ankara will accept Nuland’s offer to walk away from the Russian air defense system, officials have previously rejected the idea, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisting the purchase was a “done deal.”
Turkish defense industry chief Haluk Gorgun later added that his country was “making air defense systems” of its own, saying “we don’t need S-300s [or] S-400s.”
- In addition to being kicked out of the F-35 program, under which Ankara produced hundreds of aircraft parts, the White House had also declined to authorize a sale of F-16 upgrades for the Turkish air force.
- However, US officials greenlit a deal for 79 modernization kits last week, though it remains to be seen whether the move spells any broader change to US policy toward its NATO ally.
MODERNIZATION
“The 15-day period started on Friday night. After 15 days, this notification period will end and then we will proceed with the implementation,” Nuland continued. “As I understand it, modernization begins immediately.
Frankly, I do not know by heart when the new jets will be ready, but it is obvious that it is a priority for the USA for Turkey to obtain these jets as soon as possible.”
The senior US diplomat went on to suggest that Ankara’s recent vote in favor of Swedish NATO membership had sealed the deal, stating: “We are very pleased that Türkiye joined us in saying yes to Sweden.”
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