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

Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on the Rada's decision yesterday to support proposals for constitutional reform and decentralization in accordance with Ukraine's obligations under the Minsk agreements as well as the Rada's passage of reform laws in keeping with Ukraine's IMF and World Bank programs. The two leaders agreed on the importance and urgency of seeking justice for the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH-17 exactly one year ago, and the Vice President pledged U.S. support for the joint efforts of the governments of Ukraine, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Australia, and Belgium to seek justice in this case. The two leaders also discussed Ukraine's plans to conduct local elections in October and noted the obligations of Russia and Russia-backed separatists to allow elections to be held throughout Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in accordance with Ukrainian law and in keeping with OSCE standards.