Zhovkva, van Leeuwen discuss security situation in eastern Ukraine

19.01.2022 13:26

Ukrinform

Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President's Office, in a phone call with Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Foreign Affairs and Defense Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the President's Office has said.

According to the report, Zhovkva briefed van Leeuwen on the current security situation in the east of Ukraine and Russia's ongoing growing military presence along Ukraine's borders. He emphasized the importance of a decisive and coordinated position of the international community, especially the EU and NATO, in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and noted the firm position of the Netherlands on this issue.

Both parties discussed the next NATO summit in Madrid in 2022, primarily in the context of the invitation for Ukraine to participate in the event, and its expected results.

Special attention was also paid to the implementation of Ukraine's European aspirations. Zhovkva informed van Leeuwen about practical steps being taken by the country to achieve this strategic goal.

Both parties also discussed the epidemiological situation in Ukraine and the Netherlands, as well as steps taken by the two countries to counter the spread of COVID-19.

Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said on December 22 that 122,000 Russian troops were deployed at a distance of 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and 143,500 troops at a distance of 400 kilometers.

Blinken arrived in Ukraine on January 19 and is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to "reinforce the United States' commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."