During a working visit to the United States of America, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy began a meeting with US President Joseph Biden. The meeting takes place at the White House in Washington.
Prior to the talks, the heads of state made brief statements to the media. After that, there will be talks in an expanded format, as well as in a vis-a-vis format.
"First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation. In this difficult time for the world, you have found time for our important meeting. This shows that we are truly strategic partners. Thank you for supporting our sovereignty, our territorial integrity. This is very important for us," the Ukrainian leader said at the beginning of the meeting.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also thanked Joseph Biden for the fact that immediately after their phone conversation, the US sent more than 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine to save the lives of Ukrainians.
"I would also like to thank you for your initiative to increase assistance by $ 60 million for Ukraine under the current security program by the end of the year," the President of Ukraine said.
He also expressed condolences over the deaths of the US military in Afghanistan: "We understand what it is, because the war in the east of our country, in Donbas, has been lasting for eight years, and we are losing our best people."
The President of Ukraine noted that many important topics for both countries are on the agenda of today's meeting.
"We will try to find answers to the most important questions. Security is a priority. Security in Donbas, security on the Crimean peninsula temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, security in the Black Sea, on the Black Sea and Azov coasts," the Ukrainian President stressed.
Also, according to him, energy security is an extremely important issue. In particular, Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss with Joseph Biden the issues of energy security of Ukraine and Europe given the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 project.
The President of Ukraine also intends to discuss with the President of the United States his vision of Ukraine's role in NATO and the timing of our country's integration into the Alliance.
In addition, the President of Ukraine will raise the issue of possible involvement of the United States in the peace process in Donbas and the release of Ukrainians detained in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia.
"In the morning, we handed over to your team, Mr. President, a list of all prisoners in Ukraine. Some of them are in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, in Russia, in Moscow, about 450 people. What role, what assistance can the United States provide in this issue?” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
For his part, Joseph Biden noted that he was pleased to welcome the President of Ukraine to the White House, in particular to the Oval Office. He noted that in the period of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the partnership between the states is stronger than ever and will only be bolstered.
"Ukraine and the United States share common values. We are also unwaveringly committed to achieving our long-term goal of making Europe whole, free and indivisible. The United States remains a staunch supporter of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression, and our support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations remains unshakable,” the President of the United States assured.
He noted that today the parties will discuss how the United States can continue to support Ukraine in its progress in implementing Euro-Atlantic reforms and integration into Europe.
Joseph Biden stressed that the United States provides our country with a new security aid package worth $ 60 million.
"We are also conducting a new dialogue on energy and climate issues to help Ukraine. At the same time, we support Ukraine in terms of its climate goals," he said.
Also, according to the President of the United States, during the meeting with the Ukrainian counterpart, the issue of counteracting the COVID-19 pandemic will be raised.
"The United States has provided 2.2 million doses of vaccine to Ukraine through COVAX, and we will continue to work in this direction," he said.
Joseph Biden also expressed hope that he would be able to visit Ukraine again.
