Poroshenko calls on U.S. Congress to supply arms to Ukraine

31.08.2017 09:51

Ukrinform

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with a delegation of the U.S. Congress and urged U.S. partners to consider increasing allocations for security assistance to Ukraine, the presidential press service has reported.

"Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has met with a delegation of the U.S. Congress headed by Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Harold Rodgers," reads the report.

Poroshenko expressed gratitude for the leading role of the U.S. Congress in defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In particular, he noted the favorable position of representatives of the Committee on Appropriations in allocating funds for Ukraine's support programs in the U.S. draft budget for 2018.

At the same time, the president called for the consideration of a possible increase in allocations for the program of security assistance to Ukraine, including the provision of defensive weapons, as well as the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen.

In addition, he expressed hope that the U.S. Congress would support Ukraine's efforts aimed at the official recognition by the United States of the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.

The head of state also expressed solidarity with the American people due to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey raging in Texas.

Congressmen, in turn, said that they would continue to support Ukraine politically and financially in its struggle for restoring sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as back the reform efforts of the Ukrainian authorities.