Agro Perspectiva

USA supports Ukraine's right to defend itself – meeting between Ukrainian President and U.S. State Secretary

05.02.2015 18:24 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — As of today, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry, President Petro Poroshenko Press Office reports. As to the report, the U. S. Secretary of State has declared the support of the United States towards Ukraine and President Poroshenko. «Today I’m here specifically to bring the support, friendship and good will of President Obama and the entire American nation to the people of Ukraine on their way towards democracy, freedom and, most importantly, the protection of their territory and sovereignty. We admire that and respect that,» John Kerry said. Reportedly, the President has expressed gratitude to the United States for the support towards Ukraine. The Head of State noted: «The United States leading role in consolidating the Transatlantic solidarity in support of Ukraine is critical for pushing for the peaceful solution. We are grateful for the consistent engagement of the State Department and personally Secretary Kerry into these efforts». Also, Poroshenko has emphasized that Ukraine remained committed to the peaceful, political settlement of the conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and would insist on the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements. «We are working to find out ways for a peaceful settlement and deprive the Ukrainian people from the ongoing horror of the aggression. This is a priority for all community of civilized nations, for every civilized society. At the same time we are strengthening our security cooperation,» the President said. John Kerry has underlined the importance of diplomatic resolution of the Donbas conflict. «Our choice is diplomacy and peaceful resolution. But Russia needs to make these choices as well. And those choices should not just be declared by words, they have to be declared by actions. And that means engaging a series of steps that will uphold the Minsk agreements which they signed up,» the U. S. Secretary of State noted. «USA and President Obama are deeply committed to helping all the parties come together in an effort to try to achieve this. The fact that Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are visiting Kyiv today underscores that together the United State, France, Germany and the rest of our international partners stand united with Ukraine and calling on Russia to take the steps that I just outlined and to take those steps without a delay,» John Kerry said. The President has also underlined the importance of USA’s support towards reforms in Ukraine. He has noted that as President, he would facilitate speedy implementation of the systemic reforms, fighting corruption and rearranging all state governance in Ukraine. «These changes are the key prerequisites for the successful and democratic Ukraine as well as prosperous and safe life for our citizens,» the President emphasized.