The second day of the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s stay in New York City turned out very busy. The Ukrainian head of state met with American business owners, the Emir of Qatar, the Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and representatives of Jewish organizations. Besides, he also spoke before the UN General Assembly on refugees and migrants.
American business owners were the first to meet with the Ukrainian president. He told them that, despite the ongoing Russian aggression, Ukraine keeps working on strengthening its economy and defense and fighting corruption. The president also emphasized the onset of the reform of the judicial branch of power, aimed at uprooting corruption in courts which hinders the work of business. “Now we are beginning to implement a large-scale privatization program. So now is the right time and Ukraine is the right place for investing,” said Poroshenko.
The intensification of the mutual commercial and economic cooperation, primarily in energy, was discussed during President Poroshenko’s meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Besides, the interlocutors discussed involving Ukrainian companies into large-scale infrastructure projects carried out by the Qatari government.
Later, in his speech at the sitting of the UN General Assembly on refugees and migrants Poroshenko said that external aggression and state-sponsored terrorism are humanity’s enemies in many corners of the world. According to him, Russia’s armed aggression forced some 1.8 million Ukrainians look for shelter elsewhere in the country. “Due to this Ukraine found itself among the first 10 countries with the largest displaced populations. Ukraine cannot constantly stay in response regime, while the conflict in Donbas demands a definitive and sustainable solution of the problem, namely, the cessation of Russian aggression against Ukraine,” underlined the head of state.
In his opinion, all efforts of the world community to settle the issue of refugees and migrants will be futile if the root of all evil is not eliminated, namely, external aggression and violation of international law. “We may not turn a blind eye to Russian bombings of civilian targets in Syrian Aleppo or Ukrainian Donbas. It is not only a matter of keeping to humanitarian principles,” added Poroshenko.
He proposed that an international responsibility mechanism be created as soon as possible, as well as international binding framework for protecting the rights of internally displaced persons.
It should be mentioned that on September 19, world leaders and foreign ministers of 193 countries adopted the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants. In the Declaration (which is not a legally binding document) the signing countries express the will to “protect the human rights of all refugees and migrants, regardless of status,” and “ensure that all refugee and migrant children are receiving education within a few months of arrival.”
At the meeting with the representatives of Jewish organizations, Poroshenko shared about the situation in the east of Ukraine and human rights violations in the occupied territories, and expressed a hope for continued support on the part of the US, in particular, in what concerns the military and technological cooperation.
President Poroshenko’s second working day in New York ended in a meeting with presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. The former Secretary of State remarked that Ukraine has to do with “the very real problems and threats from Russian aggression.” Clinton added that “she was anxious to know how we can be supportive of those efforts” (as quoted by Reuters).
On his part, Ukraine’s president expressed his gratitude to Clinton for her clear position concerning the “support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, as well as the support in implementing the reforms carried out in the recent two years.”
The interlocutors agreed that the consolidation of trans-Atlantic unity and solidarity with Ukraine is crucial to confronting Russian aggression. They also mentioned the efficiency of the sanctions policy against Russia, according to President Poroshenko’s press service.
“DURING HIS MEETINGS, THE PRESIDENT DEMONSTRATES GREAT ENERGY AND A STRONG SPIRIT”
Adrian KARATNYCKY, senior research fellow, US Atlantic Council; Myrmidon Group LLC, Washington D.C.:
“President Petro Poroshenko puts forward some very convincing arguments to show that Ukraine is following the right path: it is restoring its armed forces and, first of all, at the moment has a strong, professional army consisting mainly of well-motivated volunteers. He argues that, despite Putin’s efforts, important reforms are being implemented, which prevented Ukraine from becoming a failed state.
“At the same time, he says that Russia’s aggression will most likely continue, and Ukraine needs lethal weapons and assistance to counter the attacks from Russia. Poroshenko continues being cautious by not criticizing Donald Trump or taking sides in the American presidential campaign. Instead, he expresses confidence that there is bipartisan support for Ukraine, and expects pro-Ukrainian policy on the part of the US regardless of who will be elected president.
“During his meetings, the president demonstrates great energy and a strong spirit, which testifies to his great stamina, for he has a very busy agenda meeting Jewish leaders, business circles, the diaspora, journalists, as well as speaking before the UN GA.
“Poroshenko’s meeting with Hillary Clinton testifies to Ukraine’s great importance to Europe’s security architecture, as well as the importance of American voters with Ukrainian heritage in the 2016 US presidential election. Poroshenko has no planned meeting with Donald Trump who, as I am told, is campaigning now in Florida.”
