Zelensky and Pompeo Discussed Donbass and Belarus

The President of Ukraine and the Head of the State Department exchanged views on a number of international issues, including the situation in Belarus. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and US State Secretary Mike Pompeo discussed in a telephone conversation topical issues of bilateral cooperation, the process of peaceful settlement in Donbass and also exchanged views on the situation in Belarus. This reported the Ukrainian leader’s press service of on Wednesday, August 26. Zelensky briefed Pompeo on the Ukrainian side’s efforts to achieve progress in a peaceful settlement in Donbas and thanked the United States for its continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "The regime of silence in Donbass continues for 31 days. Fortunately, there are no combat losses among our military. This became possible thanks to our work, and thanks to the support of Europe and yours," added Volodymyr Zelensky. The State Secretary welcomed this achievement and assured that Ukraine has bipartisan US support. The interlocutors exchanged views on a number of international issues, in particular, during the discussion of the situation in Belarus. “The main thing is that the situation in Belarus stabilizes, that there is a peaceful settlement. Ukraine has never interfered and does not plan to interfere in the elections of any state,” Volodymyr Zelensky stressed. He also expressed hope that the expression of the Belarusian people’ will is realized in the near future. In addition, Zelensky noted that he would not allow any Ukraine’s interference in the American electoral process, and any individual politicians’ attempts to make statements that would have a clearly pronounced provocative trace of common opponents of Ukraine and the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky added that he will discuss in more detail some issues of bilateral relations with Deputy Head of the State Department Stephen Bigan during a meeting in Kryvyi Rih. Thus, the US Embassy in Ukraine reported Bigan had already arrived in Kiev. He plans to meet with the top leadership of the Ukrainian government Earlier, Zelensky said that he hopes for a complete and final end to the armed conflict in Donbas by the end of this year. He also noted that to achieve peace, it is important to conduct a direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.