Ukraine's Prime Minister reveals details of US visit
Photo: Yulia Svyrydenko (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
During her visit to the United States, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko received support from senior US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to Reuters.
Svyrydenko tells the agency that she used her meeting with Bessent to convey Ukraine’s position that sanctions against Russia, imposed after the full-scale invasion, should not be eased or lifted.
"I think Secretary Bessent stands with Ukraine and stands for Ukraine," the Prime Minister notes.
She adds that American partners understand the importance of combating sanctions evasion, which is intended to weaken Russia.
Cooperation with IMF
During the visit, cooperation with the International Monetary Fund was also discussed. According to Svyrydenko, a mission of IMF experts will arrive in Kyiv as early as May.
The Prime Minister reports progress on securing an $8 billion loan and noted that the IMF is ready to show flexibility regarding energy sector recovery.
Svyrydenko notes that she sensed a new wave of support and that the partners’ attitude had become more constructive compared to previous visits.
"My first reflection after two days is that it's changed," she adds.
Investments and recovery
In addition, a new energy project under the US-Ukraine Joint Investment Fund is expected to be approved this summer.
Special attention was given to security guarantees and Ukraine's recovery.
"I dream that this war will end, but it will end ... with the proper security guarantees, the proper prosperity plan, with a proper plan for the reconstruction and the recovery," Svyrydenko emphasizes.
The Prime Minister also expresses hope that political changes in Hungary would help unblock the €90 billion EU aid package and accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
In this regard, she notes that this could also be good news for Ukraine's irreversible aspiration to join the EU.
Therefore, now is the best time to accelerate the process of joining the European Union, Svyrydenko says.
On April 15, Yulia Svyrydenko held a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, during which the parties discussed the financial and energy situation in Ukraine, as well as the impact of events in the Middle East on global markets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that a protracted US and Israel war against Iran could further weaken American support for Kyiv.
