I held an important and substantive meeting with Paul Houston, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. in Ukraine. We discussed the key priorities of strategic cooperation between Ukraine and the United States, as well as ways to intensify the negotiation process. I emphasized the decisive role of the United States in securing a just peace and restoring security. We devoted particular attention to our country’s critical need for anti-ballistic interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. Strengthening our air and missile defense is a direct way to protect the lives of Ukrainians and our infrastructure from Russian terror. I thank the United States and the American people for their comprehensive support and assistance to Ukraine. We continue our work.