Kyiv says meeting between Poroshenko and Trump hasn't been held yet due to internal issues in Washington
A meeting between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US President Donald Trump has not taken place yet due to internal issues at the White House itself, as stated by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, in an interview with Segodnya.
"Indeed, we proposed dates for the visit at the end of February. However, as you know, at that time, certain complex personnel processes were taking place in the new Administration. At that time, unfortunately, key positions in the new US Administration, the State Department, and the National Security Council were still vacant. Therefore, there are reasons for the absence of specific dates," Yelisieiev said.
He added that Ukraine is interested in a meaningful visit, and not a "visit for the sake of a visit."
"Therefore, apart from the date, we would like to formulate a specific agenda in order to reach certain agreements. In the near future, we plan to continue high-level contacts to coordinate such agreements," Yelisieiev said.
He assured that the meeting will be held as soon as the two sides agree on the agenda, as well as the specifics of the meeting.
"Of course, we would like for this to happen as soon as possible," Yelisieiev added.
Korrespondent.net previously reported that in January the Ukrainian ambassador to the US, Valeriy Chaly, stated that the first meeting between Poroshenko and Trump could be held in February in Washington.
Kostiantyn Yelisieiev also stated that it is crucial for Ukraine to organize a meeting between Poroshenko and Trump before the meeting of the American leader with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which is scheduled for July.