Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Yenin and U.S. Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet have discussed by phone Russia's military build-up near Ukraine's borders and a number of other important issues, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reported.
"The interlocutors discussed Russia's massive increase in its military presence near the Ukrainian borders, opposition to the implementation of the Russian geopolitical project Nord Stream 2, and the further development of Ukrainian-U.S. cooperation," the statement said.
Yenin thanked the U.S. side for providing strong support to Ukraine in countering Russian aggression and the leading role of the United States in consolidating international efforts to ensure that Russia respects the basic principles of international law.
Yenin emphasized the importance of the United States' response to Russia's aggressive behavior, thanking for additional sanctions the United States imposed on the Kremlin on April 15.
The parties noted that the Russian energy sector was the main source of financial resources of the Kremlin, which are used by Russia for aggression and operations to destabilize the situation in various regions of the world, election meddling, and cyber attacks.
Chollet stressed the position of U.S. President Joe Biden that Nord Stream 2 is a bad deal for Europe.
Both parties also discussed Ukraine's progress in implementing structural reforms. Chollet stressed that the United States strongly supports Ukraine's internal transformation program and is determined to continue to provide the necessary assistance.
On April 15, the United States imposed new sanctions and restrictions on Russia in response to actions by the Russian government and intelligence services against U.S. interests and sovereignty.