Zelenskyy, Blinken discuss further Ukraine-USA defense cooperation
![Zelenskyy, Blinken discuss further Ukraine-USA defense cooperation](https://media.interfax.com.ua/media/thumbs/images/2022/09/92oHc5fnpeCP.jpg)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Davos on Tuesday to discuss the further bilateral defense cooperation between their countries.
"I had a substantive meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. We discussed the further defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. Air defense and long-range means are of major importance for our country," Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel.
He thanked U.S. President Joseph Biden, the Congress and the entire American nation for their unwavering and strong support for Ukraine.
The meeting was also attended by National Security Advisor to the President of the United States Jake Sullivan and U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker, the press service of the Ukrainian president said.
The parties discussed preparations for the NATO anniversary summit to be held in the United States, and the issue of attracting international investment to Ukraine, particularly in defense production.
"The interlocutors noted that the goal of cooperation is to increase Ukraine's self-reliance and reduce its reliance on foreign military and financial aid," the press service said.
Zelenskyy briefed Blinken on the situation on the battlefield, as well as on the priorities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces for the current year and the means to fulfill them.
The participants of the meeting emphasized the importance of working on a bilateral document within the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration adopted at the previous NATO summit in Vilnius.
In turn, Blinken promised the continuation of the U.S. support to Ukraine, while the negotiations in the Congress on the validation of a new assistance package have stalled.
"We are committed to maintaining our support for Ukraine and we are working very closely with the Congress. I know our European colleagues will do the same," Le Monde quoted him as saying.