KYIV, May 7 – Ukraine seeks to build strong strategic relations with the U.S. that will support the country’s economy hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Thursday.

Kuleba made comments after a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier in the day to discuss diplomatic relations.

"We are determined further to develop the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. Not for the sake of diplomatic formality, but in order to strengthen the true friendship between the people of Ukraine and America," Kuleba was quoted by his ministry's press service as saying.