On 23 October, Rumsfeld said the United States supports Ukraine's bid for closer ties with the military alliance, but added that much reform work remains to be done.
"The NATO-Ukraine relationship is an important one and the United States very much agrees with Lithuania and other countries of NATO in their interest in participating and assisting Ukraine in their reforms and their interest in becoming more closely affiliated with NATO," Rumsfeld said. "We are pleased to be here, to participate in this and to work with Ukraine in weeks and months ahead."
Joining NATO and the European Union are top priorities for Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko.
(AP)