Washington, May 8 (IANS): US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Wednesday met with Georgian Minister of Defence Irakli Alasania to discuss the situation in Ukraine, according to the US Defence Department.
"The two leaders discussed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. They reviewed the efforts by allies and partners in the region to reinforce international commitments and to continue to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow," Xinhua quoted a statement as saying.
Hagel also thanked Alasania for Georgia's contributions to the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, and he encouraged Georgia to continue the progress it has made on defence reform and NATO interoperability.
"Secretary Hagel reaffirmed the importance of the US partnership with Georgia, and pledged to continue our strong defence cooperation," it added.
Tensions remained unabated in eastern Ukraine, where pro-Russia militants are engaged in conflicts with the government troops.