PRESS RELEASE : Andriy Yermak discussed US assistance and Ukraine’s efforts to fight Russia with President of the National Endowment for Democracy Damon Wilson

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 May 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a meeting with Damon Wilson, an American expert on foreign policy and President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Kyiv. Andriy Yermak noted the partnership cooperation between Ukraine and the United States.

“In this difficult time, we understand who our friends and strategic partners are. And, of course, the United States plays an extremely important role in supporting Ukraine,” he said.

The Head of the President’s Office noted the successful visit to Ukraine of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, as well as the visit of Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

“And, of course, we are waiting for President Biden,” Andriy Yermak added.

The Head of the Office of the President stressed that despite significant support from the United States, Ukraine needs more weapons, as the war continues and the whole world sees the situation in the southeast of our country, including Mariupol. According to him, negotiations with Ukraine’s partners take place daily at all levels.

“People’s lives in Mariupol depend on how quickly we get help. We ask everyone: please save our people, children, wives,” he said, adding that the time is running out and it’s a matter of days already.

In addition, special attention is paid to the sanctions policy. The Head of the President’s Office stressed that it is important for sanctions to be effective. A special international expert group has been set up for this purpose.

Andriy Yermak also noted the work with partners on security guarantees for Ukraine, which should not be a repetition of the Budapest Memorandum.

“Ukraine wants to be sure after the war that this will not happen again. The second Budapest Memorandum is completely inadmissible. We hold daily consultations with our partners on the security future of Ukraine… These should be clear, legally fixed commitments, guarantees,” he said.

According to the Head of the Office of the President, if there is no effective mechanism in the world to stop the war and prevent its beginning, it is the verdict for the entire world security system, so we need to build a new one.

The Head of the President’s Office stressed that it is important for Ukraine that this war does not become protracted, because by exhausting Russia, it will at the same time take the lives of Ukrainians and destroy our cities and infrastructure.

“For us, the protection of our people, Ukrainians, comes first. It is very important for us that our heroes stay alive. That their families stay alive and that our cities are not completely destroyed,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

Therefore, according to him, this war should end as soon as possible, but on Ukrainian terms. It is important for the Ukrainian economy to begin to recover and for the citizens of our country, who went abroad to flee the Russian bombing, to return home, because they strive for that return.

Damon Wilson noted the struggle of Ukrainians and the support of the United States for Ukraine’s efforts in this struggle.

“Ukraine is creating history, its democratic future right now. The American people support Ukrainians in their struggle for freedom and democracy. And the whole Congress, our people, the whole American politicum stands together with Ukraine. We will do everything possible to support the Ukrainian people so that Ukraine wins this war, de-occupies its territories and restores peace,” he said.