In the framework of his working visit to the US the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko made a speech at the Joint Session of the United States Congress.
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko also held a meeting in Washington with the President of the United States Barack Obama.
The parties discussed cooperation in security sector.
Petro Poroshenko noted that the only way towards de-escalation of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions is the Peace plan that includes ceasefire, liberation of all hostages, withdrawal of Russian troops, establishment of control over the border, making supply of Russian weapons impossible.
“We expect the Minsk dialogue to continue shortly”, said the President and added: “12 days of ceasefire mode need be transformed into sustainable peace.”
According to Barack Obama the US will widen their assistance to Ukraine in the economic sector and in resolving security issues. “We will continue mobilizing efforts of the international community for Ukraine’s support,” the American President said.
The parties paid special attention to cooperation in the energy sector. The President of Ukraine informed that next week a team of highly qualified US experts will arrive in Kyiv to continue negotiations on cooperation in the sector. Petro Poroshenko underlined that steps towards reinforced energy security are important to the country.
As a result of the meeting Petro Poroshenko also noted that the US will increase financial assistance to Ukraine to achieve its security targets. He underlined that the US and the EU support the Peace plan.
Barack Obama declared that the US will take the lead in the international community and will join the EU in combating aggression. “Unfortunately, Russian aggression towards Ukraine is on – Russian aggression, first in Crimea, and most recently in portions of eastern Ukraine. But the US will consistently support the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and provide assistance to help resolve its security issues,” stated the President of the United States.
Following the meeting with his US colleague the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko informed that Ukraine will receive clear practical assistance in addition to the assistance already received by the state, “it includes already received USD 240 million and USD 1 billion of financial guarantees”.
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had meetings with Joseph Biden, Vice President of the United States and with John Kerry, US Secretary of State.
Additional financial aid to Ukraine was discussed as well as enhancement of bilateral cooperation in security sector and in the energy sector before the winter season.
US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved the bill on new sanctions against Russia and in support of Ukraine. According to the document the US President needs to receive the right to grant Ukraine anti-tank and anti-armour weapons, crew weapons and ammunition, counter-artillery radars and range finders, optical and guidance equipment, surveillance drones and communication equipment. Next year USD 350 million are planned to be stationed for the above targeted assistance.
The White House has announced disbursement of a new support package for Ukraine in the amount of USD 53 million, 46 million of which will be granted to Ukraine’s Armed Forces and the Border Guard Service. The rest 7 million will be directed through international humanitarian organizations to assist those affected by the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
In general Washington decided to disburse USD 116 million for equipping and training of Ukrainian servicemen. The equipment includes bullet proof vests, helmets, vehicles, night vision goggles, thermal imaging devices, heavy engineering equipment, modern radio communication equipment, patrol boats, field rations, tents, counter-artillery radars, ammunition etc.
Military action in the ATO zone
Ukrainian Armed Forces and other enforcement units comply with the President’s order to cease fire.
At the same time terrorists and Russian troops keep shelling positions of the ATO forces. Thus within the last 24 hours terrorists shelled ATO forces positions in Donetsk region near population centers Vuhlehirsk, Marjinka, Debaltseve, Nyzhnya Krynka, Donetsky, Trojitsky, Krasnohorivka, Starohnativka, Hranitne, Peremozhne, Pisky, Maloorlivka and at Donetsk airport.
In Luhanks region: Shchastya, Tsentralny, Frunze, Chornukhyne, Stanytsya Luhanska.
In the course of the President’s Peace Plan implementation 3 Ukrainian intelligence officers have been liberated from terrorists’ captivity today: Donos, Iovits, Mandazhy.
Ukrainian military and counter-intelligence are observing bolstering of forces and equipment of illegal armed groups that are regrouping and setting up their positions with engineering means. Terrorists are mining roads near the occupied population centers.
With missile-artillery strikes terrorists hit Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts of Donetsk, Sovetsky and Khimik dostricts of Makiyivka as well as Panteleymonivka and Horlivka city council.
Russian troops are actively conducting reconnaissance activities using drones and aviation. One drone was spotted above Mariupol, another one at administrative border with the temporary occupied Crimea. Moreover air defense system fixed 2 military aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces that violated Ukraine’s air space at considerable height in Siedove-Melekyne direction of the Donetsk region, maneuvered along the Ukrainian coast line and turned back to Russia.
Yesterday we informed on the Russian troops deployed in the Northern part of the temporary occupied Crimea, according to the recon information the troops in question number 50 tanks, 100 armoured vehicles and multiple rocket launchers.
Situation in the population centers in the ATO zone
The situation in Donetsk remains tense. Gas pipeline collector was damaged by terrorists’ shelling. Several buildings on Saltykova-Shedryna and Kompozytoriv streets were cut off gas supply. 172 apartments remained without gas supply. At the same time despite the shelling municipal workers managed to restore gas supply for 147 apartments on Kyivsky prospect in Donetsk. Electricity supply was restored in Hrabari town, Kuybyshevsky district, due to efforts of “Donetskoblenergo” brigades. Electricity was supplied to 3 multi-storeyed buildings and 200 private houses.
On the territories which are temporary under control of the terrorists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions the militants of illegal armed groups continue pressure on civil servants in the education sector and medical workers forcing them to collaborate. Considerable part of local students transfer to other universities.
In Mariupol military units and National Guard units continue bolstering checkpoints system, isolating the area seized by the militants. Due to reinforcement measures of the control regime on entry/exit the number of cases when propaganda literature and subversive groups entered the territory has considerably decreased. Tomorrow and on Sunday Mariupol will celebrate the day of the city. The programme includes parades of vyshyvanky (embroidered shirts), concert from best artistic groups of Mariupol as well as prayer for peace and in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. National Guard servicemen and law enforcers including servicemen of former “Berkut” special police forces who remained loyal to their oath will secure order in the city and peace of locals during the festive events.
International community reaction to the events in Ukraine
Under current circumstances France cannot supply “Mistral” warships to Russia, the helicopter carriers could be sent to the ordering party only if the ceasefire regime is preserved and the process of peaceful settlement is finalized – President of France François Hollande. According to him France and Germany will continue their diplomatic efforts to settle the situation in Ukraine.
President of Germany Joachim Gauck made another statement criticizing Russia as to the Crimea annexation and warned the international community against inaction in case of the conflict in Ukraine.
Joachim Gauck called on the Western states to be consistent in their reaction to the events in Ukraine. “We would like to keep the doors open for the dialogue but at the same time we have to say that we shall not tolerate and take no action against the fact of twisting and violation of law,” he stressed.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle called on journalists to counteract anti-Ukrainian propaganda both in Ukraine and in Europe. At the same time the EU Commissioner admitted that Kremlin’s anti-Ukrainian propaganda in Europe is incredibly strong today.
