And here's another video from yesterday, in case you missed it:
Poroshenko Meets Tillerson, Welcomes U.S. Support For Ukraine
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit to Kyiv on July 9 as a "clear message of support" for Ukraine. At a press conference following talks addressing the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Tillerson said the United States prioritizes restoring "Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and integrity" and called on Russia to exert its influence to de-escalate the conflict. (Reuters)
And here's more on Ukraine and NATO from our news desk:
NATO Chief Calls On Russia To Remove 'Thousands Of Troops' From Ukraine
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has affirmed the alliance's "unwavering support" for Ukraine's territorial integrity and has called on Russia to remove its "thousands of soldiers from Ukraine and stop supporting the militants with command-and-control and military equipment."
Stoltenberg made the comments in Kyiv after talks with President Petro Poroshenko and other officials on July 10.
"I am convinced that an investment in Ukraine's security is an investment into the security of NATO and its member states that pays off," Stoltenberg said, adding that the alliance is "learning a lot" from the cyberattacks that Ukraine has endured in recent months.
He called for the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has left more than 10,000 people dead since early 2014.
Stoltenberg also reaffirmed that NATO members do not accept Russia's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
Russia has denied military involvement in the conflict in Ukraine despite substantial evidence it has provided troops, mercenaries, and military equipment via the part of Ukraine's border that is controlled by the separatists.
Asked about Stoltenberg's remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Moscow that "Russia has never had and has no servicemen in Ukraine." Peskov also said that Ukraine's possible entry into NATO would "not help strengthen stability and security in Europe."
Stoltenberg added that monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe must be allowed unfettered access to all of Ukraine's territory.
Poroshenko (left) and Stoltenberg
Poroshenko and Stoltenberg announced that the alliance would "begin a discussion" with Ukraine on an action plan for the country's possible eventual NATO membership.
Poroshenko pledged to implement reforms aimed at meeting NATO standards by 2020.
Poroshenko said "Ukraine has clearly defined its political future and its future in the sphere of security."
Last month, Ukraine's parliament adopted a law establishing NATO membership as a priority foreign-policy goal.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze said the same day that Ukraine seeks "partnership" with NATO.
"We have something to contribute to this system," she said.
Stoltenberg's visit comes one day after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Kyiv and offered strong support for Ukraine, stressing that Russia must take the necessary steps to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
With reporting by AP, Reuters, and Interfax
More on Ukraine and NATO:
Poroshenko Says Ukraine To Meet NATO Standards By 2020
President Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will begin discussions about a roadmap for his country to join NATO. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after a meeting in Kyiv, Poroshenko said Ukraine pledged to implement reforms to bring the country up to the standards of the Western military alliance by 2020. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
From our news desk: Ukraine To Focus On Reforms Before Any Possible NATO Bid
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said his country would not seek NATO membership "immediately" but would instead focus on implementing reforms.
Poroshenko, speaking in Kyiv after talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on July 10, said the government would "build a genuine program of reforms" in order to meet NATO requirements for possible future membership.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze said the same day that Ukraine seeks "partnership" with NATO.
"We have something to contribute to this system," she said.
For his part, Stoltenberg expressed NATO's support for Ukraine and called for the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine between government forces and separatists receiving military, economic, and political support from Russia.
He reaffirmed that NATO members do not recognize Russia's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea.
Poroshenko and Stoltenberg are meeting today in Kyiv. From Interfax:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg are meeting at the Ukrainian
presidential administration in Kyiv on Monday morning.
"I am glad to welcome the sincere friend of Ukraine, NATO
Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, to Kyiv. He will be participating in
the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission," Poroshenko said on Facebook
on Monday morning.
Here's video of Tillerson speaking in Ukraine yesterday: