During a working visit to the United States as part of the Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The meeting was also attended by Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Christopher Smith and other representatives of the U.S. Department of State.
The Ukrainian side was represented by First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova, Deputy Minister of Justice Iryna Mudra, and Advisors to the Head of the Presidential Office Dariia Zarivna and Vladyslav Vlasiuk.
"Each of our meetings is a new proof of a true strategic partnership between our countries. We are witnessing a truly unprecedented level of coordination with the United States. This year alone, our presidents have held four meetings," the Head of the Presidential Office noted.
On behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak expressed his profound gratitude to the administration of President Joseph Biden, both houses of the U.S. Congress and the entire American people for the unprecedented assistance provided to our country in the fight against Russian aggression.
"The support and assistance of the United States is critical to guaranteeing stability in our country and bringing victory closer," he said.
Andriy Yermak thanked the White House for sending a request for funding to help Ukraine and expressed hope that it would be approved by U.S. lawmakers.
The Head of the Presidential Office informed Antony Blinken on the situation at the front. He stated that American weapons had proved their effectiveness on the battlefield and helped deter the Russian aggressor.
Andriy Yermak also informed the Secretary of State about the priority needs of the Ukrainian defense forces. The importance of providing our country with air defense equipment was emphasized.
"As winter approaches, we expect the intensification of Russian missile terror. Therefore, we are in great need of air defense systems that will protect Ukrainian cities, key critical infrastructure facilities, as well as the "grain corridor" routes," the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine emphasized.
Andriy Yermak emphasized the importance of concluding a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the United States on security guarantees as soon as possible to implement the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for our country signed in Vilnius on July 12 this year.
During the meeting, the parties had a wide ranging exchange of views on other issues on the bilateral agenda, including stepping up sanctions pressure on the aggressor country and elaborating a mechanism for channeling frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine. The parties also paid attention to the situation in the Middle East.
"We are extremely grateful that the United States is standing side by side with Ukraine at this crucial historical moment. Future generations depend on our ability to defend freedom today. That is why I am confident that during this meeting we will focus on the steps that will help us prevail," said Andriy Yermak.
