U.S. ambassador to NATO: Ukraine is on the top of our list of areas

December 5, 2017 (UKRINFORM) The issue of Ukraine's conflict settlement and full implementation of the Minsk agreements by Russia are "on the top" of tasks for U.S. diplomats working in this direction. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said this on Monday, Ukrinform reports. "I have spoken with [U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine] Kurt Volker as recently as the Halifax Security Conference, and I would say that Ukraine is on the top of our list of areas where we need to see more action by Russia in the right direction, and we are not seeing that," the U.S. ambassador said.

She stressed that "that is why NATO is standing firm on not trying to have business as usual with Russia until they show an ability to come to the table and try - we are trying very hard to encourage Russia to meet the Minsk Agreement." Hutchison recalled that Russia also poses a threat to the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance. "We have seen Russian activity that is not helpful in many of our NATO Allies and countries," the U.S. diplomat said. The U.S. ambassador to NATO spoke at a press conference in Brussels ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting at the alliance's headquarters to be held on December 5-6.