Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Aaron Wess Mitchell. The men discussed a wide variety of issues about bilateral Ukraine-US ties, including efforts to support Ukraine in restoring its territorial integrity.
“Mitchell confirmed readiness to continue supporting efforts of Ukraine to restore its sovereignty and territorial integrity and, if necessary, to raise the price Moscow would pay for continuing aggression against the Ukrainian state,” the Ukrainian president’s website said on Nov.15.
“The sides emphasized the importance of new approaches and bold initiatives for the fleshing out of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States – from the enhanced interaction in politics, trade, economy and energy to the strengthening of the partnership between the countries in the area of defense and security,” the press service said.
Also, Poroshenko and Mitchell discussed the course of reforms in Ukraine. Poroshenko noted tangible changes achieved by Ukraine.
“I am absolutely sure that there is no other country in the world conducting as many reforms in various spheres during a war. And we have strong support for our reforms from the United States,” Poroshenko said, adding that this is proof of the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Poroshenko also thanked the US side for its assistance and sizable contribution to the development of the new Ukrainian army amid Russian aggression.
Mitchell emphasized the importance of his visit to Ukraine. He said the US would continue supporting Ukraine’s development and would coordinate efforts for ensuring reliable and effective international support for Ukraine.
The US assistant secretary of state said what Poroshenko and his team have achieved in a very short period of time is amazing. That so much has been done over the past three years is simply phenomenal, he said.
Mitchell said earlier at a press briefing that the US would continue work on the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission to Donbas. Mitchell also noted that the issue of supplying lethal weapons to Kyiv had been discussed at his meeting with Poroshenko.
