On March 7, 2013, at the Pentagon, Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. Olexander Motsyk held a meeting with Derek Chollet, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia/Ukraine. Defense Attaché Vice Admiral Ihor Knyaz also took part in this meeting.
The parties discussed the issues of bilateral cooperation in defense and non-proliferation fields, as well as reforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their participation in the UN and NATO-led peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and on the African continent. Both Sides reaffirmed their readiness to conduct joint Ukraine - U.S. military exercises Sea Breeze and Rapid Trident.
Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S. expressed appreciation of U.S. assistance in preparation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for participation in the operation Ocean Shield.