PM discussed with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reforms of new Government and Russian aggression against Ukraine

On Thursday, June 16, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman met with Leader of the Republicans in the Senate Mitch McConnell. The parties discussed the first reforms initiated by the new Government and Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The Prime Minister said that the United States is the first country he visited as Prime Minister of Ukraine.

He told Mitch McConnell about the priorities of the Government, including macroeconomic stabilization, deregulation, public privatization and judicial reform. The Government also has to provide changes to tax legislation this year.

Volodymyr Groysman noted that the new Government introduced the market gas price, began public privatization of state enterprises and sectoral reforms, particularly in the areas of Ukrainian customs and the judiciary following the adoption of constitutional amendments in the judicial sector. It was also provided the start of functioning of all anti-corruption bodies of Ukraine and coming into force of e-declaration of civil servants.

The Government continues to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund, he stressed.

Separately, Volodymyr Groysman emphasized the importance of national security and defense of the country and highlighted the importance of the United States’ assistance to Ukraine in this regard. He expressed gratitude for U.S. efforts to modernize the Ukrainian army and encouraged to continue such support. "This assistance will be a good investment in upholding international law and democratic values," he underlined.

The Prime Minister briefed his interlocutors on the situation in Donbas. He noted that shelling of the Ukrainian soldiers continues.

Volodymyr Groysman also noted the need to beef up the defense capability of the Ukrainian people. "In eastern Ukraine, we are protecting not only Ukraine's territorial value, we are defending international law, freedom of democracy, the seriousness of fundamental values," he stressed.