You're reading: Poroshenko says gets assurances from Trump on keeping anti-Russia sanctions in place

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he had received assurances in Washington that the United States would keep the sanctions against Russia in place.

“The U.S. sanctions against Russia will remain in effect. During my meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, I received firm assurances that the sanctions would not be lifted from Russia until Crimea is returned and until Russian aggression against Ukraine is stopped,” Poroshenko said on Facebook in commenting on the outcome of his meeting with Trump in Washington, D.C., on June 20.

“The U.S. introduces more sanctions virtually every day. I see the United States of America’s position as that of a firm, reliable, and strategic partner of Ukraine,” Poroshenko said at a news briefing when asked by journalists whether he had received clear assurances from the U.S. president that the sanctions would remain in place.

Poroshenko said he believed his meetings on June 20 confirmed the U.S.’ determination to support Ukraine.

“We’ve got firm support from the United States – support regarding our state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, and firm support for continued reforms in Ukraine,” he said.

The Ukrainian presidential press service said the negotiations addressed economic cooperation, particularly that in the nuclear power industry, oil and gas sector, purchases of U.S. coal, continued cooperation on renewable energy resources, and so on.

The parties also discussed Ukrainian-U.S. military-technical cooperation. “The president has issued clear instructions so that we could expand our cooperation,” Poroshenko said.

“The agenda was very broad. I am fully delighted with the results of the negotiations and very grateful both to President Trump and to Vice President Pence, and also to the secretaries with which we have had meetings, for a very firm position of support for our state,” he said.