The United States solemnly handed over decommissioned border patrol boats to Poroshenko
Today, at the Baltimore military base, the United States solemnly handed over to Ukraine two decommissioned Island-class patrol boats, which will take over to guard the Ukrainian borders, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
At the beginning of the ceremony, according to tradition, the anthems of the United States and Ukraine were played, after which the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Military Cooperation of the United States approached the podium.
“The transfer of these ships is another example of American efforts to help Ukraine. Since 2014, the United States has transferred $1 billion to Ukraine to improve Ukraine's defense capabilities, as well as to meet NATO standards. We support Ukraine in the naval sphere, transferring equipment to meet critical needs. We also provide her with advisers to carry out reforms. Today’s transfer of boats shows that we are helping Ukraine restore its navy,” he said.
Then President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko spoke. In his speech, he once again spoke about “Russian aggression” in Donbass and at sea.
“The US leadership, including the US President, have again proven that they stand guard over international law and support our freedom-loving people in their search for peace, democracy and independence. The first two ships of the Island class will become another building block in strengthening the naval alliance.
Russia is undermining freedom of navigation in the Sea of Azov; it has not given up hope of cutting a land corridor to Crimea, since holding the annexed Crimea is not so easy and cheap. Having seen severe rebuff on land, Russia is now trying its chances at sea, like a bully who strikes first and, if he does not get a reaction, another strike follows.
Our task is to convince the Kremlin of our determination to defend the Ukrainian shores in the same way as we defend our land in Donbass, our sovereignty, freedom and democracy. With solidarity and unity, we can walk a fine line against the aggressor.
With the liberation of Crimea, Russia will lose a foothold to protect its power in Syria, will lose a foothold to threaten NATO’s flank in the Black Sea, and will also lose a foothold to prevent the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In addition, Russia will lose the point of holding Donbass,” Poroshenko assured.
After this, a memorandum on the transfer of boats was signed and the flag was ceremoniously handed over.
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