The presidents of Ukraine and the United States have held their second phone call since year-start, demonstrating deep strategic cooperation between the two nations.
This was reported by the press service of the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrinform reports.
“The President expressed gratitude to the United States and personally to Joseph Biden for a strong and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the U.S. leadership in mobilizing the world community to deter Russian aggression,” the statement said.
Volodymyr Zelensky also welcomed Joe Biden’s comment on the importance of maintaining the U.S. diplomatic presence in Ukraine and assured of further stable work of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv.
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He thanked for the appropriate assistance provided by the United States, in particular in the form of lethal defensive weapons. Zelensky expressed hope that the United States would take further steps to enhance defense cooperation and strengthen our state’s defense capabilities.
At the same time, the president stressed the importance of “supporting the economic and financial stability of our country in the current situation.”
It is noted that the leaders discussed concrete steps by the United States to increase financial support to Ukraine – both bilaterally and through involving international financial organizations.
The results of the recent Normandy talks at the level of political advisors were also discussed. ” Joseph Biden commended the agreement reached on an unconditional return to the ceasefire. Volodymyr Zelensky noted Ukraine’s readiness to hold a meeting in the Normandy format at the level of leaders in the near future, “the statement reads.
The President’s Office recalled this was the second phone call of the two leaders this year, which “demonstrates “profound strategic cooperation between our countries and sets good dynamics for 2022.”
Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, who is in Kyiv on a working visit.