US to continue efforts to raise stakes for Russia if it refuses to de-escalate situation in Donbas – Klimkin-Biden meeting

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at a meeting in Washington have discussed the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the recovery of Ukraine's national economy and strengthening the country's defense capability.

Klimkin thanked Biden for the United States' consistent and active support and stressed the importance of consolidating efforts of the international community in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service reported.

The two officials also spoke about a serious damage inflicted on the Ukrainian economy by the Russian-led insurgents' actions, and the importance of a speedy restoration of vital infrastructure destroyed by terrorists in eastern Ukraine, the ministry said.

In turn, Biden noted the unconditional and full support by the United States for the peace plan of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as well as political and economic reforms in Ukraine.

"[Biden] stressed the U.S. commitment to continue to provide political, advisory and technical assistance necessary to overcome the serious challenges Ukraine is currently facing," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Biden also stressed that the United States would continue making efforts to raise the costs for Russia if it does not take steps to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian foreign minister is currently on a working visit to the United States.