By KYIV. Nov 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who visited Kyiv, noted the importance of all modes of transport for the success of Ukraine and assured of further U.S. support for the development of Ukraine’s transport capabilities.
As Buttigieg said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday evening, he visited Ukrainian railway facilities that are heroically transporting people. The secretary held a personal meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksandr Kubrakov.
According to him, they discussed ways in which cooperation between the two countries can help strengthen the economy and military efforts in Ukraine. Particularly on transport, this includes dialogue with regional neighbors and the international community about opportunities.
“Transportation is critically important to Ukraine’s ability to import goods and to export Ukrainian products,” the secretary said, adding that this concerns maritime transport, as well as road and rail transport.
He said that the United States will continue to provide consultation and technical assistance, adding there was also “a lot of interest here in the future of the aviation sector, which we discussed.”
Buttigieg also noted the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s export potential, since this is important not only for the country’s economy, but also for the whole world.
Buttigieg said that he is in Ukraine to highlight the ongoing commitment of President Biden’s administration and the American people to the people of Ukraine. And the United States knows that the success and improvements that have occurred in Ukraine will serve not only the people of Ukraine, but also the people who love democracy and care about people all over the world, including in the United States, he said.
Buttigieg also said that his visit to Kyiv is one way to demonstrate that in addition to the enormous concern and attention that the United States is paying to what is happening in the Middle East, the country is paying as much attention and commitment as it has ever had regarding Ukraine.
Speaking about the appointment of an infrastructure advisor, the secretary said that each mode of transport is very important for the success of Ukraine and it is very important for the United States every time it has the opportunity to offer the technical assistance and experience that the U.S. Department of Transportation has.
In addition, during the day Buttigieg met with Ukrainian veterans, some of whom he had previously seen during the Invictus Games. The secretary noted the courage of Ukrainian soldiers and people, who inspire the whole world.
