Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer’s Trip to Ukraine

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer traveled to Kyiv on September 4 and 5 to coordinate on U.S. plans to support Ukraine over the remainder of President Biden’s term in office. 

Finer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine’s military, energy system, and economy, among other areas, and to consult on Ukraine’s strategy in its fight against Russian aggression. Finer expressed condolences on behalf of the United States for the casualties caused by Russia’s recent missile attacks and emphasized the President’s steadfast commitment to stand with Ukraine until they prevail in this war. 

Finer met with Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, and Ukrainian military officials to discuss the state of Ukraine’s operations across the front lines. Finer briefed the Ukrainian officials on the ongoing provision of U.S. security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself.

Finer joined Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and senior officials from across the Ukrainian government, including regional representatives from Kharkiv and other regions in Ukraine in a conversation to review Ukraine’s energy security. Finer received updates on Ukraine’s recovery efforts following recent Russian strikes and discussed U.S. assistance to help Ukraine repair its energy system. Additionally, Finer visited a critical energy site in Ukraine to see first-hand the efforts underway to harden these sites ahead of the winter. 

Finer participated in-person in Ukraine’s conference on food security as part of the peace formula process, which representatives from more than 75 countries attended virtually. In his remarks at the conference, Finer emphasized U.S. support for Ukraine’s pursuit of a just and lasting peace to end this war. 

Finer also met with First Deputy Prime Minisyer Yuliia Svyrydenko to discuss U.S. sanctions against Russia and with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to review Ukraine’s efforts to rally global opposition to Russia’s war of aggression. 

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