Former Advisor to the Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine: The purpose of Mattis' visit to Ukraine is not only participation in the Parade on the Independence Day
Head of the US Department of Defense James Mattis' visit to Ukraine will certainly not be limited to participation in the Independence Day parade, stated Nathan Hazin, a former adviser to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an interview with InfoResist.
"Now the structures that were under previous President Barack Obama are completely changing. This is felt in all actions - in joint exercises scheduled for September, in the possibility of providing weapons, etc. Strengthening of sanctions, changing all the moments toward escalation - it is clear that the United States is becoming active, that they are beginning to really help more, that their actions are much more pro-Ukrainian," the Hazin said.
In his opinion, the visit by the Pentagon leader is not just a courtesy visit and not just a presence at the parade; especially since the US defense ministers have not visited Ukraine for a long time.
"This is the first call. Now the situation is strategically changing in favor of Ukraine. And it is possible that the visit by Mattis himself is to see everything with his own eyes, and not through the information provided by advisers. The previous advisers in particular were all mixed [in their messages] and not entirely clear. A visit is a desire to see real events with [his] own eyes. I see only positives; this could well be of great assistance," Hazin stressed.
As previously reported, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis will pay a working visit to Ukraine on August 24. The head of the Pentagon will meet with President Petro Poroshenko and Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak.