KYIV, May 10 – Ukraine hopes that defense cooperation with the United States would be expanded, including the U.S. help in strengthening of the air defense system and upgrading the military plane fleet of the Air Forces of Ukraine, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has said.

"Over the years of the war ... The United States has provided us with assistance for $800 million. The year 2018 will be particularly sensitive. I hope it will significantly improve the level of combat readiness of the troops," he said in an interview with obozrevatel.ua.