President of Ukraine has held phone conversation with U.S. Vice President

13.8.2016

 President Petro Poroshenko has held a phone conversation with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden. The parties have discussed current security situation caused by  provocative actions of the Russian side in the occupied Crimea and  escalation in Donbas. Petro Poroshenko has emphasized that recent false statements of  Russia about terrorist threat from Ukraine in the occupied Crimea were a  hybrid provocation and another attempt to justify further Russian  aggressive actions and massive repression in Crimea. The Head of State has underscored the intention of Ukraine to avoid further escalation due to unfounded accusations of Moscow. Joseph Biden has noted the efforts of the President aimed at finding  the ways to settle the situation. He has emphasized that the American  side was closely monitoring all developments around the Crimean  provocation, which is totally Russia’s responsibility. In this context, the parties have stressed the importance of  preventing the opportunity for Moscow to use the Crimean situation as an  apology for the apparent failure to comply with the Minsk agreements. The interlocutors agree that it is important to continue dialogue in the Normandy format. Joseph Biden has highlighted the unwavering position of the United  States regarding the non-recognition of the Crimean invasion and the  obvious need to maintain sanctions against Russia. The parties have also discussed the progress of Ukraine on the track  of reforms and the issue of speeding up the provision of respective  financial aid for our country. Joseph Biden has noted important steps made by Ukraine for the  fulfillment of relevant commitments in cooperation with the IMF, inter  alia, in the context of the fight against corruption. Petro Poroshenko and Joseph Biden have agreed to maintain permanent  contact concerning further developments due to the aggressive actions of  Russia.