Two years ago, on September 29, 2017, the United States and Ukraine conducted the first U.S-Ukraine Bilateral Cyber Dialogue in Kyiv.
As a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to supporting cybersecurity in Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch announced at the dialogue that the U.S. would provide over $5 million in new cyber assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to prevent, mitigate and respond to cyberattacks. The dialogue strengthened whole-of-government bilateral cooperation on cybersecurity and cyber policy matters.
Recognizing the important nature of cyber threats, participants shared approaches on organizing cybersecurity policy structures and cyber incident response procedures. They discussed ways to protect critical infrastructure and military systems, and exchanged views on cyber confidence-building efforts at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Participants also reviewed ongoing U.S. cyber assistance efforts in Ukraine.
Both sides also affirmed their commitment to an Internet that is open, interoperable, reliable and secure. They also expressed a shared concern that the most serious malicious cyber activities have the potential to undermine peace, prosperity and the stability of the international community.
The U.S. delegation was led by Joshua Steinman, special assistant to the president and the National Security Council’s senior director for international cybersecurity; Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary of state for cyber and international communications and information policy; and Michelle Markoff, deputy coordinator for cyber issues at the Department of State.
The U.S. delegation also included representatives from the departments of State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Energy and Homeland Security, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Ukrainian delegation was led by Vadym Prystaiko, deputy minister of foreign affairs, and representatives from the National Bank of Ukraine, Ministry of Defense, National Security and Defense Council, Security Service of Ukraine, State Service for Special Communication and Information Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: “U.S. Embassy statement U.S.-Ukraine cyber dialogue,”(U.S. Embassy in Kyiv), The Ukrainian Weekly, October 15, 2017.