Readout of the President’s Call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

President Obama spoke by phone this afternoon with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and discussed the need for all sides to fulfill their obligations under the Minsk Protocol of September 5 and Minsk Memorandum of September 19.  Both leaders agreed that the Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan on October 16-17 offers a good opportunity for leaders to press President Putin to abide by all aspects of the peace plan, including putting in place an effective mechanism for controlling and monitoring the border between Russia and eastern Ukraine.  Additionally, they discussed energy security, political and economic reform, and how best to work together with international financial institutions and bilateral partners to support Ukraine’s economy. The President also congratulated President Poroshenko on the recent passage of anti-corruption legislation in Ukraine’s parliament.