A meaningful conversation between the leaders of Ukraine and the United States of America made it possible to coordinate in detail the positions of our states and testifies to the close and partnership relations between Ukraine and the United States. This was stated by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
"Holding such a concrete and trust-based conversation on the eve of the US President's major European tour, which will include the NATO summit and the US-Russia bilateral summit, indicates that Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provide our partners with quality expertise on current security challenges and risks in the region," Andriy Yermak stressed.
Particular attention in the leaders' conversation was paid to the issue of finalizing the construction of Nord Stream 2. Volodymyr Zelenskyy clearly and unequivocally stated that this project is not a matter of economy or business prospects, as defined by some European politicians, but is a purely geopolitical tool of Russia, which allows it to try to significantly expand the dominant influence of this country in Europe. Nord Stream 2 significantly increases all existing risks in our region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need for a real step-by-step plan for Ukraine's accession to NATO, which should be tied to clear calendar dates. The President of Ukraine also stressed that the time of statements and declarations of intent should be a thing of the past.
"There can be no doubt that Ukraine is an integral part of Europe in terms of its value foundation. Now, in the new situation in Europe, we need a logistical plan for Ukraine's accession to the Alliance in the near future. NATO is a way of maximum protection for our country," the Ukrainian President noted at the talks.
Ukraine's move to NATO is also an opportunity to achieve the preconditions for establishing a stable and lasting peace in Donbas. The situation in Donbas was discussed in great detail. Volodymyr Zelenskyy named the reasons for the periodic escalation of this confrontation by the Russian side. He reported on the number and nature of shelling from the uncontrolled territory. He also informed in detail about the real number of Russian troops concentrated near our borders and those that were redeployed to their permanent locations.
Much of the Presidents' conversation was dedicated to the issue of transforming our state into a transparent and competitive system.
"The American side understands that the elimination of the destructive consensus between oligarchs and politicians in Ukraine is strongly opposed by the old elites. But the US support for Ukraine in this work will be maximal," Andriy Yermak summed up.