Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko left the United States on Thursday, inspired by what she called positive talks with senior US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, saying she considered him supportive of Ukraine, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.
Details
Svyrydenko told Reuters that she used the meeting with Bessent to emphasize Ukraine's position that sanctions imposed on Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago should not be eased, lifted, or delayed.
Ukraine reacted to the US decision to extend sanctions on Russian oil16.04.26, 16:36
Washington temporarily lifted some sanctions on Russian oil to help deal with supply shortages caused by the war with Iran, but they have now come back into effect.
"I think Secretary Bessent supports Ukraine and stands for Ukraine," Svyrydenko said in her only media interview during her visit to the United States for the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
"It was a very friendly conversation, and he is very supportive of us," she said. "I think all our colleagues here in the United States... understand this very well: preventing sanctions circumvention, as well as strengthening sanctions, is an extremely important measure to take to weaken Russia."
Last month, US and Ukrainian officials met in Florida for talks on ending the war with Russia, "but hopes for a quick agreement have faded," the publication writes. Ukraine insisted that it needed security guarantees before agreeing to any peace deal.
"I dream for this war to end, but it will end... with proper security guarantees, a proper prosperity plan, a proper reconstruction and recovery plan," Svyrydenko said. "That would give Ukrainians the opportunity to live the life they deserve, because they have fought so hard."
Svyrydenko noted that ties between Ukraine and the US have deepened over the past year through joint work on the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which approved its first project last month and is expected to approve a second – in the energy sector – this summer.
The Prime Minister, who previously served as Minister of Economy, expressed hope that the fund could be expanded to approve more than the initial target of three projects this year, noting that over 200 applications have been received so far.
About the IMF
Svyrydenko also mentioned progress in cooperation with the IMF on an $8 billion loan approved in February, and said that the IMF would send its mission to Kyiv in May. She said that the IMF understands that Ukraine needs more flexibility in some cases and is ready to support it.
IMF mission expected in Ukraine in May - Svyrydenko16.04.26, 22:21
The IMF eased some conditions in February, acknowledging that conditions had significantly worsened during ongoing Russian attacks that damaged Ukraine's energy infrastructure this winter.
Overall, she said she felt renewed support after two days of back-to-back meetings in Washington. "During this visit, I felt that everyone was very supportive," she said.
"My first feeling after two days is that the situation has changed," she added, noting that the mood was more constructive than during previous meetings.
Ukraine also received a desired boost in a statement issued after a meeting of G7 finance chiefs, who pledged to continue helping Ukraine, including helping it prepare for next winter, the publication writes.
About the EU and Hungary's veto
Svyrydenko said that Ukraine hopes that the elections in Hungary, which removed Prime Minister Viktor Orban from power, will help unblock the European Union's 20th package of sanctions against Russia, as well as a 90 billion euro loan from the EU that Hungary had blocked.
She said it could also be good news for Ukraine's "irreversible" aspiration to join the EU.
"All Ukrainians feel part of the EU family, and I think they deserve to be there. So now is the time to move faster and accelerate our integration with the EU," she said.