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.