Readout of the Vice President's Meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

The Vice President met today in Munich with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President expressed concern about the recent surge in violence in eastern Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the need for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire. The Vice President underscored U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination and underlined that the United States does not recognize Russia's occupation and attempted annexation of the Crimean peninsula. The Vice President expressed U.S. support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, and the leaders discussed how the United States can support negotiations. The Vice President commended Ukraine's progress on reforms, and the leaders affirmed the importance of further reforms to transform Ukraine into a secure, prosperous, European country for all its citizens.