While addressing journalists at Boryspil International Airport on March 14, Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Ukraine and the U.S. will boost economic and political cooperation and that the country had never received “such support from the world.”
“The U.S. government jointly with the House of Representatives has decided to issue $1 billion, and after my meeting with the president (Barack Obama) and Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner we suppose the package could be further increased by another $600 million,” Yatseniuk said at Boryspil airport.
The Ukrainian premier also expects the U.S. Congress to vote on this issue in coming days.
“After a trip to the United States I need to say that the U.S. president, the Congress, the Senate and the American people provide unprecedented support to preserve the territorial integrity and independence of our country,” Yatsenyuk said.
Yatsenyuk also listed the key elements of bilateral economic and political help.
He said a special investment commission will be set up, also Ukrainian and American businesses scheduled a number of meetings, which will aim to increase the volume of Ukrainian-U.S. trade.
Furthermore, “Ukrainian students will have a possibility to be involved in Fulbright,” one of the most recognizable student and scholar exchange programs funded by the U.S. government, he said, adding that the quota will be doubled.
Regarding the Russian occupation of Crimea and threat to mainland Ukraine, he said: “The only thing Russia wants to do is to deploy more troops in Crimea and strengthen its military presence on Ukraine’s border.”
During the 6th meeting of United Nations Security Council, Yatsenyuk said, 14 members voted to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine. “Only one UN Security Council member – Russia – didn’t support our territorial integrity,” he said.
Yatsenyuk said he told the Russian representative that “Ukraine gives a helping hand to Russia, while Russia reciprocates with weapons and tanks.” Ukraine’s acting prime minister is certain Russia doesn’t want to find a compromise. However, Ukraine and the rest of the world must find a peaceful way out of the current political crisis, he said.
“Russia violated international law. But now the main question is to prevent war, as Russia invades Ukraine’s territory,” Yatsenyuk said.
Yatsenyuk also promised to report the results after negotiations with the IMF.
“We’ve made a number of economic cuts and expect to do more in order to sustain institutional power,” he said.
