Zelensky, Pence discuss security cooperation, Ukraine’s NATO membership

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the 48th Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, who is paying a visit to Kyiv.

The relevant statement was made by the Head of State on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Today, the 48th Vice President of the United States Mike Pence is in Kyiv. We discussed our defense, interaction between our nations, security cooperation, and importance of partners’ determination and certainty regarding Ukraine’s future membership in NATO,” Zelensky wrote.

In his words, the support of the United States for Ukraine’s fight for freedom is vital.

“The support of all Americans, every American family, all civil society groups, the Congress – both parties, both houses, and of course the support of President Joe Biden. I am grateful for this support,” President Zelensky stressed.

According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Head of State emphasized that the United States provided not only weapons to Ukraine but also financial, humanitarian and political support.

“We appreciate that both major U.S. parties, the Republican and Democratic, remain united in their support for Ukraine. And, of course, we feel the strong support of the people of the United States,” Zelensky noted.

In this regard, the President of Ukraine thanked the United States for the recent defense assistance packages worth $2.1 billion and $500 million, allocated on June 6 and June 27 respectively, and emphasized the unprecedented total amount of support provided, which had reached $43.1 billion since February 2022.

The Head of State also expressed gratitude for the loud voice of Mike Pence in support of Ukraine in the U.S. Republican Party.

President Zelensky briefed the former U.S. Vice President on the situation on the battlefield and shared Ukraine’s assessment of recent events in Russia and how they would affect security in the region. In this context, the Head of State emphasized the primary importance of continuing and strengthening defense assistance for Ukraine from partners, including artillery and long-range weapons. Zelensky stressed the importance of training Ukrainian pilots as quickly as possible and providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

Additionally, the President of Ukraine shared his expectations from the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Zelensky mentioned that the partners should demonstrate determination and give Ukraine certainty about its future membership.

“This is what will motivate our people. And this is also a weapon, but a political one. Perhaps it is even more powerful than missiles. For this, we must see our future in NATO,” President Zelensky noted.

In addition, Zelensky told Pence about the humanitarian situation in southern Ukraine, following Russia’s blowing up of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) dam. In this regard, the President of Ukraine thanked American charitable organizations that help provide drinking water to the areas affected by this crime.

Photo, video: Office of the President of Ukraine