Readout of the Vice President’s Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko about the situation in eastern Ukraine.  President Poroshenko informed the Vice President that most of the Russian military trucks that had unlawfully entered Ukraine the previous day had returned to Russia, and the Vice President commended Ukraine’s restraint in the face of Russia’s blatant provocation and disregard of Ukraine’s sovereignty.  President Poroshenko expressed concern about continued Russian military activity, including the firing of artillery directly into the Ukrainian town of Novoazovsk.  The Vice President noted Russia’s continued isolation in the UN Security Council, and pledged that the United States would continue working with its G-7 partners to respond to Russia’s destabilizing actions in Ukraine.  Finally, the Vice President wished President Poroshenko a happy Ukrainian Independence Day.