OREANDA-NEWS President Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in the course of the working visit to the United States.

On the eve of the G20 meeting that will take place in Germany, the parties coordinated positions as regards termination of Russian aggression in Donbas and return of Crimea. In this context, the President put forward proposals on the more active involvement of the U.S. in the peace process in Donbas. The parties agreed to continue consultations with a view to elaborate joint measures.

The parties discussed the liberation of the Ukrainian hostages and agreed that the given issue must be resolved as soon as possible.

Rex Tillerson confirmed willingness of the U.S. to facilitate the peace settlement in Donbas. The U.S. Secretary of State also confirmed preservation of sanctions against Russia until full restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Besides, the parties touched upon the issue of providing defensive weapons to Ukraine.

The President and the U.S. Secretary of State discussed the enhancement of trade-economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

The parties also discussed ways of institutionalizing bilateral cooperation in the security sphere.

Petro Poroshenko invited Rex Tillerson to make a visit to Ukraine.