KYIV, May 2 – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell has said it's important for Washington to implement in Ukraine a program of support and protection, primarily of a defensive nature.

"Ukraine has been and remains a strong and reliable partner of the United States in the region, so there are many issues on the agenda of mutual cooperation, the solution of which is of strategic importance for both countries," the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine said following a meeting between Groysman and Mitchell on Wednesday in Kyiv.