Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Strategic Industries Oleg Uruskyi had an online conversation with Chargé d'Affaires of the United States in Ukraine a.i. Kristina A. Kvien, in preparation for her upcoming visit to the United States.

The videoconference was also attended by First Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries Valery Ivashchenko, Deputy Minister for European Integration Yurii Petrovsky, and representatives of the Defense Attaché Office and Offices of Economic and Defense Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.

Oleg Uruskyi congratulated the diplomats on the inauguration of the new U.S. President Joe Biden and expressed his deep conviction that the new administration would strengthen the development of the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine.

The Deputy Prime Minister informed the American partners about the current state of affairs in the Ministry, outlined the key priorities for further activities of the Ministry for Strategic Industries for 2021, including the establishment of the Defense Technology Agency following an example of DARPA.

Separately, the parties discussed issues of military-technical and industrial cooperation between the United States and Ukraine. Oleg Uruskyi outlined his vision on possible areas of bilateral partnership, which, in his opinion, may be of mutual interest and will contribute to the deepening of the strategic ties between the countries.

In turn, Ms. Kristina A. Kvien congratulated the Ministry for Strategic Industries on the progress made during the operation of the Ministry and expressed support for the reform of the Ukrainian defense industry.

The U.S. diplomat stressed on the transparency of reforms in the defense industry, as it will be positively perceived by investors and will allow the United States and Ukraine to reach a new level of collaboration.

Oleg Uruskyi thanked the representatives of the U.S. diplomatic mission for supporting the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in particular for the message by the Defense Attaché Colonel Brittany Stewart, which was released on the anniversary of the shelling of Mariupol, January 24, 2021.