The level of bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of security and defense has already exceeded the level of cooperation of countries that have the status of a major non-NATO ally (MNNA) of the United States, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said this in an interview with CNN in Washington.
"He said no, because we already have a special status for the level of cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. The level of security and defense cooperation is much higher than just the status of a major non-NATO ally," he said.
He noted that bilateral efforts were aimed at the development of strategic defense and security partnership with Washington.
"We were not refused. We received more than we asked," Poroshenko said. He said that it had been agreed to create a special program for cooperation in the security sector and that a special U.S. group would soon arrive in Ukraine to reform the security and defense sector.
"We have enough, and I am completely satisfied with today's cooperation with the White House,"- Poroshenko said.
MNNA status for bilateral relations means the priority development of cooperation between the United States and certain countries. This foresees, in particular, participation in joint defense initiatives, joint military research, participation in counterterrorism activities, supplies of limited types of weapons, and joint space projects.
MNNA status has already been granted to 15 countries: Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Jordan, New Zealand, Argentina, Bahrain, Philippines, Thailand, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.