.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has appointed a retired U.S. Army general as a special adviser to Ukraine's defense minister.
The Pentagon says John Abizaid will advise defense chief Stepan Poltorak as Ukraine tries to strengthen democratic civilian control of its military, take on corruption and put in place other reforms.
Carter and Poltorak met Thursday on the sidelines of a U.N. peacekeeping conference in London. Carter tells reporters the appointment wasn't a signal of U.S. plans to help Ukraine in offensive operations against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. more
