In the course of the NATO Summit, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Head of State expressed gratitude for consistent position of solidarity and strong support the United States provided to Ukraine in the context of countering the aggression. "It is our struggle for freedom and independence. Ukrainians highly appreciate the support from the United States," Petro Poroshenko noted.

Petro Poroshenko informed John Kerry on the steps of the Ukrainian government aimed at peaceful settlement of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Particularly, on the set of proposals for tomorrow's meeting of Trilateral contact group. He said that our country "is waiting for the results of the given meeting with cautious optimism".

The parties also discussed topical issues of bilateral agenda that are to be considered in the course of the future visit of the Ukrainian President to Washington.

John Kerry informed that the U.S. would further support by all means the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as continue persistent work for consolidation of international efforts aimed at supporting Ukraine.

"We hope for a real ceasefire. We hope that Russian troops will abandon Ukraine. It is our goal and we must discuss the ways to avoid long-term confrontation," John Kerry noted.

Source: Press office of President of Ukraine http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/31165.html