Ukraine, United States discuss strengthening protection against Russian cyber attacks during elections

Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze made a corresponding statement during a meeting with Michael McCaul, the ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Office of Vice PM reports on Facebook.

"During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the security situation in Ukraine in the context of Russia's aggression against our country. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed that Russia had been trying to meddle in the elections in Ukraine, using them as the last chance to return our country to the field of its influence," the statement reads.

In this context, the parties agreed on the need to strengthen protection against cyber attacks, primarily on part of the Russian Federation, which pose a potential threat to the electoral process.

The officials paid special attention to the safeguards for the rights of citizens, in particular, the Ukrainian citizens in the occupied Crimea. The Vice Prime Minister also underscored the importance of US support in stepping up pressure on Russia for sake of release of Ukrainian sailors - the crew members of the Ukrainian Navy ships seized in the Kerch Strait – who are held in the remand prisons in Moscow now.

In addition, the parties discussed the ways to further strengthen the defense capacity of Ukraine, in particular, the importance of expanding support programs provided from the US federal budget, and adding the enhanced assistance to strengthen, in particular, Ukrainian naval capabilities.

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