Mike Pompeo's visit to Kiev
The secretary of state met yesterday with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, during the impeachment trial of President Trump over a pressure campaign against Ukraine.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that the Trump administration was committed to supporting Ukraine in its defense against aggression by Russia, which invaded and annexed part of the country and is supporting a separatist insurgency.
“Today I’m here with a clear message: The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy and prosperity is a valiant one,” Mr. Pompeo said at a news conference after meeting with Ukraine’s leader in Kyiv. “Our commitment to support it will not waver.”
Ukraine is a “bulwark between freedom and authoritarianism in Eastern Europe,” Mr. Pompeo added.
His visit, in which he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, was aimed at calming unease among Ukrainian officials about the relationship between Washington and Kyiv, which has been thrust into the spotlight because of the impeachment of Mr. Trump, based on charges of abuse of power and obstruction over the president’s actions on Ukraine.
Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Zelensky met before noon in the president’s office in central Kyiv, and the Ukrainian leader said they had talked about new steps to strengthen the partnership between the two nations.
“I would like to thank the United States of America, President Trump's Administration, you personally and the entire people of the United States for the continuous support of Ukraine - our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is very important for us,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for helping Ukraine investigate the crash of the Ukraine International Airlines aircraft in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Head of State underscored Ukraine’s interest in active cooperation with the United States in various spheres.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mike Pompeo discussed the development of infrastructure in Ukraine and Donbas in particular.
“We have great plans concerning the roads. Our first step is 25,000 kilometers of roads. We invite American businessmen to invest in Ukrainian infrastructure,” the President said.
The parties also discussed the progress of reforms in Ukraine and trade relations between the two countries.
The US Secretary of State expressed support for Ukraine's cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.
Systemic support for Ukraine enjoys broad bipartisan consensus in the US Congress, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after talks with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
"This is evidenced, in particular, by the volume of assistance programs for 2020, which is nearly USD 700 million," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State noted that US assistance in the amount of USD 365 million for security would significantly enhance Ukraine's defense capability.
"We appreciate your support in reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine, supplying weapons and equipment, conducting military exercises for Ukrainian units," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine was willing to consider the opportunity of purchasing weaponry to strengthen the naval and air defense forces.
"Ukraine is willing to develop new forms of partnership with the US in the field of security," the President said.
The Head of State noted that Ukraine carried out active cooperation with US partners to successfully reform the defense industry as well.
"I am sure it will give a boost to mutually beneficial cooperation with top US defense companies," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that the United States of America is and will be a key ally of Ukraine. Following the negotiations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Head of State noted that the visit of the Secretary of State to Ukraine was a milestone event that clearly demonstrated the consistent and comprehensive support for our country by the United States.
"We highly appreciate the efforts of President Trump and his Administration in these matters," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement to the media.
The President also thanked Mike Pompeo for his personal firm and unwavering stance on Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
In addition, the parties emphasized that a clear and coordinated work during the tragedy of the Ukrainian plane in Iran was an indicative example of partnership between the two countries.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted the effective policy of sanctions of the USA, which helps oppose the existing challenges. This, in particular, refers to energy security and construction of the Nord Stream 2.
For his part, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Ukraine an important country, not just the geographical heart of Europe.
“It is actually a stronghold and a fortress between Eastern Europe and authoritarianism. This is definitely the country that feeds Europeans, maintains the pipes heating Europe,” the US Secretary of State emphasized.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects a significant increase in investment and trade cooperation between Ukraine and the US. He said this after negotiations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Kyiv.
“We are interested in enhancing the development of the Ukrainian railway industry together with the American party. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukrzaliznytsia have already started negotiations for the purchase of a new batch of American-made locomotives,” the Head of State said in a statement to the media.
The President invited big American business to participate in projects of road construction and Ukrainian natural gas and oil extraction.
"We expect that US companies will bid for the development of the Black Sea shelf," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.
The President also raised the issue of Washington abolishing customs duties on steel imports from Ukraine in the amount of 25%.
"This is a sensitive issue for our metallurgical exports, so we are hopeful that this duty will be abolished for Ukraine," the President said.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine seeks to build effective cooperation with the International Finance Corporation, in particular in the implementation of joint cases in various fields.
"I am confident that 2020 will be the year when we will significantly increase investment and trade cooperation between Ukraine and the United States," the President stressed.
He thanked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the United States for their full support and assistance to Ukraine, as well as for fruitful negotiations.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that the work of the US-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission had been resumed.
He noted that the United States would continue to provide investment support to Ukraine, and supported the IMF's recommendations.
