Ukraine's ex-president says good relations between Kyiv, Washington serve both sides' interests

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s former president, emphasized that strong relations between Ukraine and the US are crucial for both nations, calling for a renewed dialogue following tensions between Kyiv and Washington.

Speaking to Sky News on Monday, Poroshenko acknowledged the challenges of negotiations with US President Donald Trump but highlighted his own successful discussions in previous years.

“Believe me, negotiating with US President Donald Trump is not an easy task at all. But at the same time, I had quite successful negotiations with Trump in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Their result was the supply of lethal weapons, as well as sanctions imposed against Nord Stream 2,” a pipeline carrying Russian natural gas, he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Poroshenko’s successor and still president, was elected in April 2019.

Poroshenko also stressed the importance of transatlantic unity, calling it a “key factor” for Ukraine’s future and the democratic world.

He warned that recent tensions, particularly after Friday’s contentious Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in the Oval Office, only benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The only winner from the conflict in the Oval Office on Friday is Vladimir Putin. This is not good for Ukraine. This is not good for the United States,” he said, urging an immediate restoration of dialogue.

He also expressed gratitude toward European leaders, including the British premier, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and French President Emmanuel Macron, for their efforts to facilitate discussions between Ukraine and the US.

“We must strengthen our negotiating positions. I believe that good relations between Ukraine and the United States are in the interests of both sides. The question is how to stop the war. And I want to assure you: Ukrainians are a nation that strives for peace,” he said, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts to secure peace in Ukraine, Europe, and beyond.

Poroshenko’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Ukraine and the US following recent high-level meetings, with concerns over continued US support and strategic alignment.