PM meeting with Prime Minister Yatseniuk of Ukraine: 15 July
David Cameron welcomed Prime Minister Yatseniuk of Ukraine to Downing Street yesterday.
Following the meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister welcomed Prime Minister Yatseniuk of Ukraine to Downing Street yesterday to discuss a range of issues including Ukraine’s reform agenda, Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and implementation of the Minsk agreements.
On reforms, they discussed the need for these to be broad and carried out as swiftly as possible. Prime Minister Yatseniuk discussed the changes Ukraine had already made to the tax system, as well as deregulation and the areas where further reform was needed. The Prime Minister reinforced the UK’s support with this agenda including through the Good Governance Fund which is providing technical assistance.
On the crisis in eastern Ukraine, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of full implementation of the Minsk agreements and his belief that there could be no military solution. Prime Minister Yatseniuk explained the constitutional amendments that the Ukrainian Parliament is due to debate this week and they agreed that free and fair local elections should be held throughout Ukraine. They discussed the support the UK is providing to the Ukrainian Armed Forces through the gifting of non-lethal equipment and training. Ahead of a visit by the Defence Secretary to Ukraine next month, the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK will once again take part in Exercise Rapid Trident – an annual multinational exercise in Ukraine training in infantry skills and tactics.