Today at 20:06
Photo Mykola Lazarenko
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi had a meeting with US Senator Robert Portman, Republican of Ohio.
The parties discussed the political situation in Ukraine, in particular the early elections to the Verkhovna Rada. Volodymyr Zelenskyi noted that the dissolution of the Parliament met the demands of society, and due to the holding of parliamentary elections in July, a new Government may be formed already come September.
“If we continued with this disabled Parliament, we would form the Government in December. We cannot wait. We have two wars: the war against Russia and the war against corruption inside the country, which is a threat, first and foremost, for the Ukrainian economy,” Zelenskyi emphasized.
Another issue raised during the meeting concerned the situation in Donbas and steps necessary to achieve progress for a peaceful settlement, especially in terms of a ceasefire and exchange of hostages. Zelenskyi told Portman that his first working visit had been to Luhansk region, to visit the military on the front line.
He also separately noted the active position of the US Senate in imposing sanctions against Russia and providing Ukraine with military assistance. The parties emphasized the need for the further pressure on the Russian Federation aimed to ensure proper implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Zelenskyi and Portman also discussed topical issues of implementing reforms that should bring Ukraine closer to the EU and NATO.
In addition, Zelenskyi thanked Portman for the support of the US Senate for Ukraine and the leadership of Portman as co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus.
