Kuleba, Blinken discuss strategic partnership in political, security spheres

"The heads of Ukrainian and American diplomacy discussed the strengthening of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States in the political and security spheres, the strengthening of our country's defense capabilities in the fight against Russian aggression, and U.S. support for Ukraine's efforts to combat corruption and develop an open competitive economy," the report reads.

Both parties paid special attention to the effective involvement of the United States in diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict in eastern Ukraine in close coordination with Germany and France as parties to the Normandy format.

Kuleba and Blinken exchanged their views on a possible meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents and agreed to coordinate their positions in preparation for the meeting.

They also paid special attention to the energy security of Europe and Ukraine and said their positions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project were the same. They expressed a common interest in developing cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of energy, including hydrogen energy.

The sides discussed Ukraine's further integration into NATO, which is important for the security of Central Europe, the Black Sea region and the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole.

Kuleba and Blinken exchanged their views on cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in overcoming key global issues, such as combating the COVID-19 pandemic, countering climate change, and protecting human rights.

Blinken is on a visit to Kyiv on May 6. He is holding a series of meetings with senior officials and civil society representatives.

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