WASHINGTON, December 22 (Sputnik) — Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko thanked the United States for its recent restriction of investment and trade with Crimea, the White House said early Monday.
“President Poroshenko thanked the United States for enacting additional restrictions on trade and investment with entities in Crimea, and for the President's signing of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014,” the White House said in a readout of Poroshenko’s phone conversation with US Vice President Joe Biden.
The politicians also discussed the situation in conflict-torn eastern Ukraine, the Minsk peace negotiations and possible diplomatic solutions to the Ukrainian crisis, according to the White House.
In addition, Biden and Poroshenko noted “progress in assembling a new package of international financial assistance to support Ukraine as it moves forward with its reform program”.
On Saturday, US President Barack Obama issued an executive order prohibiting investments in Crimea, as well as the trade of goods, technology and services with the peninsula. Crimea rejoined Russia in March, after more than 96 percent of local voters backed the move in a referendum, which to date has not been recognized by Kiev and the West.
Earlier in the week, Obama signed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, a bill authorizing provision of lethal assistance to Ukraine and the introduction of new sanctions against Russia.
The United States has long been accusing Russia of involvement in the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern regions, introducing several rounds of sanctions. Moscow has firmly denied the claims and urged the opposing parties in Ukraine’s internal conflict to find a diplomatic solution.
