FM Kuleba, U.S. Congress delegation discuss ways to deter Russia from aggression

As the Ministry’s press service informs, Kuleba met with the U.S. Congress delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks and consisting of Mark Green, Victoria Spartz, Tom Malinowski, Ami Bera, Colin Allred, Sarah Jacobs, David Cicilline, August Pfluger, Mikie Sherrill, and Chrissy Houlahan on January 28.

The minister said that the unity of the international community with Ukraine today is key to maintaining and protecting peace, justice and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. He reminded that in early December he called on all foreign partners to plan visits to Ukraine in January-February 2022. The constant presence of high-ranking foreign guests in Ukraine plays an important role in deterring Russia and reducing tensions. In this context, the foreign minister thanked the U.S. Congress members for the timely and important visit.

"Ukraine has reliable bipartisan support from the United States against the background of aggressive actions by the Russian Federation. We are grateful for this long-standing and unanimous bipartisan position of the U.S. Congress," Kuleba said.

The talks focused on the implementation of a comprehensive package to deter the Russian Federation from further aggression by Ukraine, the United States, and European partners. The interlocutors discussed strengthening the international coalition in support of Ukraine, a package of tough sanctions against the Kremlin, deepening security cooperation, support from the United States and partners for the stability of our economy and financial system amid economic challenges of Russian escalation.

Kuleba underscored that the only way for Russia to prove it has no intentions of a new military operation against Ukraine is to continue diplomatic talks within the established formats.

The chief Ukrainian diplomat stressed that Ukraine is committed to the political and diplomatic settlement of the armed conflict. Russia's aggression against Ukraine will end not only when the current tensions are de-escalated, but also when the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and Crimea are returned fully, in political and diplomatic terms.

The delegation members reaffirmed the unanimous support of the United States for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in upholding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The politicians also reaffirmed the U.S. readiness to take concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's security and promote the stability of our country's economic and financial system.

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