BIDEN: Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine - March 31, 2016

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

March 31, 2016

Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine

Vice President Biden met today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.‎ President Poroshenko updated the Vice President on coalition negotiations to form a new Ukrainian government that is committed to a reform program, including IMF and EU requirements, and the full implementation of its Minsk commitments. President Poroshenko also noted his commitment to installing a new, credible Prosecutor General. The Vice President welcomed the efforts of President Poroshenko to form a stable, reform-oriented government, and stressed that this step, as well as the enactment of needed reforms, are critical to unlocking international economic assistance, including the third $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee. The Vice President also informed President Poroshenko that the United States is moving forward with an additional $335 million in security assistance, which will fund additional advisors, training, and non-lethal assistance. The leaders condemned the illegal imprisonment of pilot Nadia Savchenko, and called for her release and for immediate and unimpeded medical access. The Vice President reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing that the U.S. continues to reject the occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea, and reiterated the importance of maintaining sanctions against Russia until Minsk is fully implemented.

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