The United States is interested in the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capability, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said.

Mattis said he had come to Kyiv to better learn the situation of the Ukrainian military on the frontline. That will enable him to advocate more actively what the Ukrainian president and defense minister have told him of, Mattis told reporters following negotiations with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday.

Mattis said the U.S. is interested in strengthening cooperation with Ukraine.

Mattis said the U.S. had recently approved supplies of equipment worth $175 million, including special equipment, which will strengthen Ukraine's defense capability.