Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was satisfied he has established a dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump`s administration despite concerns in Kyiv that Trump might sacrifice ties with Ukraine in favor of a closer relationship with Russia, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Poroshenko told a meeting of Ukraine`s top brass on February 22 that his conversations with Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Vice President Mike Pence have left him optimistic, RFE/RL reported.
”At the moment, I am happy how we are building bridges, and how our dialogue is working out for the best with the U.S. administration,” he said.
Poroshenko`s reassurance over ties to Washington came as one of Kyiv`s key European allies expressed concern over the failure of yet another attempt to halt the fighting in the east.
A new cease-fire agreement was supposed to go into effect on February 20, with Ukraine and Russia-backed separatists obliged to pull heavy weapons back from the front line.
”The truth is as follows: the cease-fire is not holding,” German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said, adding that is ”alarming.”
”Those who say something on Saturday [February 18] and several days later don`t keep their word are responsible for the failure of the negotiation process,” Gabriel said.
