In Senate testimony Wednesday, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel focused on U.S. diplomatic and aid e

(5 Mar 2014) POOL Washington -- March 5, 2014 1. SOUNDBITE: Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense: General Dempsey and I both, over the last few days, been in constant touch with our fellow ministers and chods (chiefs of defense) at NATO as well as Russia, Ukraine. In fact, today we are putting together for me with the new minister of defense for Ukraine. Over the last couple of weeks I've had conversations with the previous two ministers. ++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY FLASH OF WHITE++ 2. SOUNDBITE: Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense: Across the administration, our efforts, as you know mr. Chairman, have been focused on de-escalating crisis. Supporting the new Ukranian government with economic assistance and reaffirming our commitments to allies in central and eastern Europe. I strongly support the administration's approach to this de-escalation. ++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY FLASH OF WHITE++ 3. SOUNDBITE: Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense: This is a time for wise and steady and firm leadership and it's a time for all of us to stand with the Ukranian people in support of their territorial integrity and their sovereignty and we are doing that. That in particular is what President Obama continues to do as we pursue diplomatic and economic options. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...