On Friday, April 2, President Joseph R. Biden spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, as the WhiteHouse press-service reports.
During the phone call, President Biden affirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea.
“He [Biden] emphasized his administration’s commitment to revitalizing our strategic partnership in support of President Zelensky’s plan to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values that delivers justice, security, and prosperity to the people of Ukraine. The leaders agreed these reforms are central to Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations,” the statement reads.
The leaders have also discussed the importance of close American-Ukrainian cooperation to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen democracy in the region.
According to Politico, the presidents spoke for 30-40 minutes, as a person with knowledge of the call shared.
Importantly, the phone call followed at least three high-level calls between the U.S. and Ukraine this week between Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Ukrainian counterparts.