Ukrainian MP and leader of the "European Solidarity" party Petro Poroshenko confirmed reports of a meeting between representatives of the opposition and the team of US President Donald Trump, Ukrinform reported.
The meeting was not secret and was mainly devoted to holding elections after the end of martial law, the former Ukrainian president emphasized.
He wrote on "Facebook": "We are working with our American partners publicly and transparently to maintain bipartisan support for Ukraine."
Poroshenko recalled that the Ukrainian opposition has repeatedly proposed coordinating such meetings with the government and inviting the US ambassador to attend. At the same time, he stressed that the opposition has often spoken publicly about the lack of communication between the leadership of Ukraine and the US administration, "which creates risks for the state.
"The essence of our talks with American representatives has always been based on two principles: first, security and peace through force. Specifically, this means weapons, intelligence, sanctions against Russia, financial support, democratic sustainability (freedom and democracy) and transatlantic unity," the leader of "European Solidarity" said.
He also reiterated that his faction has always been and remains categorically against holding elections during the war. "We have said and continue to say that elections can be held only after a ceasefire and the signing of a peace treaty with guarantees for the security of Ukraine."
"At this point, martial law will obviously be lifted. "No later than 180 days after that, free and democratic elections must be held to guarantee the will of the people and the trust of the free world," the former Ukrainian president added.