Poroshenko, Trudeau discuss issues of bilateral relations in phone call

The parties emphasized that over the past five years, special partnership between Ukraine and Canada had gained new quality, the press service of the head of state reported on Monday.

Poroshenko thanked Trudeau for the unwavering support of Ukraine both in the international arena and in the facilitation of democratic transformations in Ukraine.

The interlocutors also discussed preparations for the Third Conference on Reforms in Ukraine to be held in Toronto on July 2-4, 2019.

Canada’s prime minister noted that Ukraine had reached greater progress in reforms over the past 5 years than in all previous years of independence.

The parties noted a successful implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, which promotes job creation and the welfare of the citizens of both countries.

Poroshenko particularly noted Canada's role in strengthening the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as evidenced by the activities of the UNIFIER training mission.

The parties also discussed in detail the development of the situation in Donbas. The president hopes that Canada will take a principled position in the issue of increasing the sanctions pressure on Moscow in response to the so-called passport decrees of the Kremlin. He also emphasized the importance of the release of Ukrainian citizens illegally kept in Russian prisons.

Trudeau praised the democratic and competitive nature of the presidential campaign in Ukraine.