Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba had his first phone call with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, congratulating him on his appointment.

The parties highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, as well as their mutual intention to make it more ambitious.

“Our relations are seeing the dawn of a new day”, Dmytro Kuleba noted.

The U.S. Secretary of State reaffirmed unwavering support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and our state’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

Foreign Minister Kuleba stated Ukraine was ready to continue playing the role of a reliable European partner of the United States in the Black Sea region and in Central Europe.

The U.S. Secretary of State stressed that the sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression in Donbas and Crimea should remain in place until Moscow fully implemented its commitments on the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Dmytro Kuleba noted that Ukraine would welcome the strengthening of the U.S. role in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict and de-occupy Donbas and Crimea.

“Russia must be made to feel that the price of aggression is too high to continue it”, the Minister underlined.

The counterparts discussed further deepening of their political-military dialogue and cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, as well as in countering the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sides also reaffirmed the importance of Ukraine maintaining progress on implementing economic reforms, ensuring the rule of law and judicial reform, and strengthening the system of anti-corruption institutions.

Antony Blinken assured Dmytro Kuleba of the new U.S. Administration's readiness to maintain robust economic and military assistance to Ukraine, including the provision of lethal weapons.

Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the importance of the United States’ active engagement in the Crimean Platform and received assurances of the U.S. support of this initiative of Ukraine.

The sides attached particular attention to joint efforts in tackling hybrid threats and misinformation. Dmytro Kuleba informed Antony Blinken of the initiative to establish in Ukraine an international center for counteracting misinformation and propaganda, and stressed our country's readiness to share good practices in this area.

The Minister and the Secretary of State discussed further political contacts at all levels, including the highest level, and reaffirmed mutual invitations to pay working visits as soon as the circumstances and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic allow