United States should help Ukraine regain control over Crimea and Donbas – joint statement

This was said in a joint address by Ukrainian and U.S. politicians, diplomats and experts entitled "Twelve Points to Strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the United States and Ukraine," which was presented during the Kyiv Security Forum organized by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Open Ukraine Foundation.

"This includes expanding our strategic partnership and defense cooperation, and the United States looking afresh to increase defense assistance with the objective of enhancing Ukrainian capabilities to deter further Russian attacks," the statement reads.

The authors of the document noted that the United States should continue to provide lethal defensive assistance to Ukraine, strengthen the Navy, and promote the development of special operations forces, air and coastal defenses.

"The United States and Ukraine should also consult on political, diplomatic, and economic steps needed to return Crimea to Ukraine. They should work together to promote internationally the ‘Crimea is Ukraine’ principle and to ensure that sanctions applied against Russia for its illegal seizure of the peninsula remain in place," the document reads.

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