UK one of Ukraine's strongest allies in Donbas de-escalation - Yatseniuk

09:52, 06.03.2015 1 min read

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has welcomed the United Kingdom's contribution to efforts aimed at settling the Ukrainian crisis and maintaining security in the country.

"We are convinced that the UK is one of our strongest allies in conflict de-escalation and Ukraine's aspirations to become a successful state," Yatseniuk said at a meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in Kyiv on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian cabinet's press service.

The Ukrainian prime minister also thanked the UK government for its decision to send military experts to Ukraine in order to "make the Ukrainian army much stronger."

"We are also expecting to receive additional aid, which we will use in defensive, not offensive, operations," he said.

"It concerns both our security and the security of entire Europe. It is a challenge for all of us, and I am convinced that we will offer a joint, bold and powerful response," Yatseniuk said.