KYIV. March 30 (Interfax) - Ukrainian presidential office chief Andriy Yermak has had a telephone call with United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, during which he asked the U.S. to play a more active role in settling the conflict in Donbas.
"The U.S. could play a more active role in promoting peace talks to put an end to the war in Donbas, the Ukrainian presidential press service quoted Yermak as saying on Monday evening.
Yermak briefed Sullivan on the security situation along the line of contact in Donbas. He said the past few weeks have seen a dangerous trend toward a higher number of ceasefire violations and fatalities. Yermak also informed Sullivan of the deaths of four Ukrainian troops in a mortar attack near Shumy in the Donetsk region on March 26, it said.
Yermak thanked the U.S. for "a clear and consistent policy of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and for providing assistance in enhancing Ukraine's defense capability, particularly as regards the Ukrainian Armed Forces reform and reinforcement of its Navy.
"Owing to support from the U.S., Ukraine has been recognized as NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner and expects to be granted a Membership Action Plan," he said.
Sullivan assured Yermak that the U.S. stands ready to keep helping Ukraine become a full member of NATO, the Ukrainian presidential press service said.