President Proshenko calls US to give Ukraine special non-allied partner status in address to Congress

President Petro Proshenko called the United States to give Ukraine special, non-allied, partner status in his address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

Ukraine’s President is on working visit to Washington on Thursday. It is Petro Poroshenko's first visit to the U.S. since being elected. The President came to the US seeking further support to tackle Russian aggression against Ukraine. President Petro Poroshenko met with US President Barack Obama, US Secretary of State John Kerry. During the meetings, Poroshenko thanked the U.S. for its invariable support, the Ukrainian president's press office says. In his address to the Congress Petro Poroshenko praised the United States for the unity of its Congress and its solidarity with Ukraine. “Global nuclear non-proliferation, the future of the NATO alliance and peace in Europe depend on the United States' response to Russian aggression against Ukraine. Many things, including the effectiveness of the global non-proliferation system, will be put to a severe test and judged depending on the response of America, and the world," the President said. The United States has been supportive of Ukraine's government in its struggle with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. The US, along with the European Union and others, have imposed a series of sanctions on Russia for its interference in Ukraine. Earlier White House officials made clear that Poroshenko's visit is aimed in part at sending a message to Russia about the West's backing for Ukraine. During his visit President Petro Poroshenko is expected to address a joint meeting of Congress.