Washington - U.S. President Barack Obama is planning to urge his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko to normalize the situation in Ukraine by peaceful means, White House press secretary Josh Earnest has said.
‘What you can expect that President Obama will do is continue to encourage President Poroshenko to pursue a diplomatic resolution of the differences between the Ukrainian government and the Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine,’ he said.
As reported, a meeting between the two presidents will be held on Thursday as part of Poroshenko’s visit to the United States Poroshenko at Obama’s invitation.
Earnest also added that this visit would demonstrate the hardness of obligations of the United States in support of Ukraine, which is pursuing a policy of liberal democracy, stability and prosperity.
Noting that ‘a tenuous cease-fire agreement’ had been in place in Ukraine for a week or two, Earnest said: ‘I think President Poroshenko’s visit – at the invitation of President Obama – is a pretty clear symbol to everybody, including the people of Ukraine, that the United States is prepared to stand with them as they pursue a future that reflects the will of the Ukrainian people, and as they seek to protect their sovereignty and their territorial integrity from inappropriate outside interference.’
He said that the meeting between the presidents could also be attended by Vice President Joe Biden.
Before meeting with Obama, Poroshenko will speak to both houses of the U.S. Congress, and also hold talks with Secretary of State John Kerry.
