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Pelosi Statement on Congressional Delegation to Ukraine

August 6, 2015

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NP Ukraine 2

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of the Congressional Delegation met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Kyiv, Ukraine – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today as a Congressional Delegation concluded their visit to Ukraine:

"Security has been the central focus of our Congressional Delegation's meetings in Ukraine – national security, economic security, energy security, and food security. In our conversations with Ukraine's leaders, we talked about the challenges Ukraine faces and their impact on regional and global stability. Ukrainian leaders were particularly concerned about Russian aggression and implementation of the Minsk agreements, and reiterated their request for additional U.S. and international support.

"President Petro Poroshenko engaged our delegation in a detailed discussion related to advancing security, diminishing corruption, growing the economy, and reducing dependence on Russian energy sources.

"These and other issues were discussed with Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk, including the implementation of necessary reforms in the public and private sectors.

"It was interesting to hear the perspective of Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko in regard to public perception of change in Ukraine.

"We gained further perspective in meetings with the Secretary of the National Security Defense Council Oleksandr Valentynovych, new, young parliament members of the Rada, civil society NGOs, business leaders, and international agriculture experts.

"In our meeting with the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, we received an enlightening assessment of opportunities and challenges associated with Ukraine's transition to democracy.

"We came in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and left further inspired by their courage, expressing our condolences for the nearly 7,000 Ukrainians who lost their lives fighting Russian aggression and paying respects to those killed on the Maidan.

"We are grateful to our U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and thank them for making our visit an informative and productive one."

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